Q. Who was first to use the characteristics of vascular tissues in the classification of plants?

Correct Answer: c) A P de Condolle

Explanation:
A. P. de Candolle (often spelled de Condolle) was the first to classify plants using the presence or absence of vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) as a key criterion. He divided plants into:
– Vasculares (with vascular bundles) — including pteridophytes and seed plants
– Cellulares (without vascular bundles) — including non-vascular groups

Bentham & Hooker and Engler & Prantl used broader morphological and evolutionary features, but they were not the first to base a major division on vascular tissue characteristics.