Question

A flower is hypogynous with axile placentation and swollen placenta. Which family does this flower belong to?

• A. Asteraceae
• B. Lamiaceae
• C. Solanaceae
• D. Malvaceae

Hint:

To master questions on plant families, create a comparative chart of key characteristics (ovary position, placentation, inflorescence, fruit type) for major families like Solanaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, and Malvaceae. The swollen placenta is a very strong keyword for Solanaceae.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify a plant family based on a specific combination of floral characteristics. We need to analyze each characteristic and see which family fits the description.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's break down the given floral characteristics:

Hypogynous flower: This means the flower has a superior ovary. The petals, sepals, and stamens are attached at the base of the ovary.
Axile placentation: The ovary is partitioned into two or more chambers (locules), and the ovules are attached to the central axis where the partitions meet.
Swollen placenta: The placenta (the tissue to which the ovules are attached) is fleshy and enlarged.
Now let's examine the options:

(A) Asteraceae: This family typically has an inferior ovary (epigynous flower) and basal placentation. This does not match.

(B) Lamiaceae: This family has a superior ovary (hypogynous) and axile placentation. However, the placenta is not typically swollen, and the ovary is characteristically divided into four locules by a false septum.

(C) Solanaceae: This family is characterized by having a superior ovary (hypogynous), bicarpellary syncarpous gynoecium, and axile placentation with a prominent, swollen placenta on which numerous ovules are borne. The septum is often oblique. This is a perfect match for the description. A classic example is the tomato ({Solanum lycopersicum}).

(D) Malvaceae: This family has a superior ovary (hypogynous) and axile placentation, but the placenta is not characteristically swollen as described for Solanaceae.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The combination of a hypogynous flower, axile placentation, and a swollen placenta is a distinct characteristic of the family Solanaceae.