Morphology of Flowering Plants

Question 1

Phyllotaxy

Answer 1

Phyllotaxy is the mode of arrangement or distribution of leaves on the stem and its branches

Question 2

Complete flower

Answer 2

A flower having all four whorls- calyx, corolla, androecium, gynoecium is called a perfect or complete flower

Question 3

Staminate flower

Answer 3

Unisexual flowers having only stamens

Question 4

Pistillate flower

Answer 4

Unisexual flower having only carpels

Question 5

Monoecious

Answer 5

Both staminate and pistillate flowers on the same plant

Question 6

Dioecious

Answer 6

Staminate and pistillate flowers on different plants

Question 7

Why is a hypogynous flower said to have a superior ovary? Give examples

Answer 7

Because the calyx, corolla, and stamens are inserted below the ovary
e.g. Brassica (mustard) (underline)
Hibiscus (underline)

Question 8

What is a perigynous flower? Give e.g.

Answer 8

The thalamus forms a cup shaped structure around the ovary and the sepals, petals and stamens appear to be inserted on the rim of the cup.
The ovary is said to be semi-inferior
E.g. rose

Question 9

Epigynous flower + e.g.

Answer 9

When the thalamus completely encloses the ovary and the sepals, petals and stamens appear to be arising from above the ovary, it is known as an epigynous flower
It has an inferior ovary
E.g. cucumber, guava, ray florets of sunflower

Question 10

Actinomorphic

Answer 10

When a flower can be divided into two exactly equal halves in any plane it is said to be actinomorphic
E.g. Hibiscus, Brassica (*underline)

Question 11

Zygomorphic

Answer 11

When a flower can be divided into two equal halves by a vertical section in one plane only
E.g. pea flower

Question 12

Aestivation

Answer 12

Mode of arrangement of sepals/petals in a floral bud with respect to other members of the same whorl is said to be aestivation

Question 13

Valvate aestivation

Answer 13

Memebers of a whorl are in contact with each other by their margins, without overlapping
E.g. Brassica, periwinkle

Question 14

Twisted aestivation

Answer 14

One margin of a member covers the margin of the next member and the other is covered by the one before it
E.g. hibiscus

Question 15

Imbricate aestivation

Answer 15

One member of the whorl is exterior, one is interior, and the rest three have one margin exterior and one interior.
E.g. Cassia (*underline)

Question 16

Vexillary aestivation

Answer 16

Largest (standard) petal covers two lateral petals (wings) which overlap the smallest (keel) petal.
E.g. pea

Question 17

Perianth

Answer 17

When the two whorls- calyx and corolla are not clearly differentiated

Question 18

Tepal

Answer 18

Individual member of perianth

Question 19

Monadelphous

Answer 19

Stamens are united into one group by their filaments only but the anthers remain free/
E.g. Hibiscus (*underline)

Question 20

Diadelphous

Answer 20

The filaments are united into two bundles but the anthers remain free.
E.g. Pisum (pea) (*underline) where nine filaments form one bundle and the tenth stands apart

Question 21

Polyadelphous

Answer 21

Filaments are united into several groups, the anthers remain free
E.g. Bombax (*underline)

Question 22

Epipetalous

Answer 22

Stamens adhering to the corolla by their filaments
E.g. brinjal

Question 23

Dithecous anther

Answer 23

Two lobed anther
E.g. Citrus (*underline)

Question 24

Monothecous

Answer 24

One lobed anther e.g. Hibiscus (*underline)

Question 25

Basifixed

Answer 25

Filament attached to the base of the anther
E.g. Brassica (*underline)

Question 26

Dorsifixed

Answer 26

Filament attached to the back of the anther
E.g. Hibiscus (*underline)

Question 27

Unilocular

Answer 27

Ovary with one chamber
E.g. Stellaria (*underline)

Question 28

Bilocular

Answer 28

Ovary with two chambers
E.g. Solanum (*underline)

Question 29

Trilocular

Answer 29

Ovary with three chambers
E.g. Asphodelus (*underline)

Question 30

Tetralocular

Answer 30

Ovary with four chambers
E.g. Ocimum (*underline)

Question 31

Multilocular

Answer 31

Ovary with many chambers
E.g. Citrus (*underline)

Question 32

Placentation- Definition

Answer 32

The arrangement of ovules within the ovary is known as placentation

Question 33

Marginal placentation

Answer 33

Ovules are borne along the ventral suture of the carpel
E.g. Pea

Question 34

Axile placentation

Answer 34

Ovules are borne on the central axis
E.g. Citrus

Question 35

Parietal placentation

Answer 35

Ovules are borne on the margin
E.g. Brassica (*underline), custard apple

Question 36

Basal placentation

Answer 36

The ovary is unilocular and the solitary ovule appears to arise from the base of the ovary
E.g. Mango, Dates

Question 37

Inflorescence

Answer 37

Mode of arrangement of more than one flower on a single stalk

Question 38

Racemose inflorescence

Answer 38

The floral axis shows indeterminate growth producing flowers in an acropetal order i.e. the older flower is the lowest and the youngest uppermost
E.g. cherry

Question 39

Cymose inflorescence

Answer 39

In a cymose inflorescence, the main axis has limited growth and the flowers are arranged in a basipetal manner i.e. the older flowers are found towards the top and the younger ones towards the base of the axis.
E.g. Ocimum (*underline)

Question 40

Fruit- definition

Answer 40

Mature or ripened ovary

Question 41

Parthenocarpic fruits

Answer 41

Fruits that are formed without the act of fertilization

Question 42

Syngenesious

Answer 42

Anthers are united to form a cylinder around the style, filaments remain free
E.g. sunflower