Question

Example for "runners"
I. Underground stem in Strawberry
II. Sub-aerial stem in Oxalis
III. Lateral branches of Chrysanthemum
IV. Lateral branches of Jasmine

• A. I & III
• B. I & II
• C. II & IV
• D. III & IV

Hint:

Runners = stolons (horizontal stems producing new plantlets).
Strawberry is the textbook example of a runner.
Differentiate between rhizomes (underground), stolons/runners (surface or above ground), and tubers (storage organs).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

1. "Runners" is a common name for stolons — stems that grow horizontally and produce new plants at nodes. They may be above the ground (stolon) or just at the soil surface (sub-aerial stolon).
2. Strawberry (Fragaria) produces stolons (runners) that are above ground and form new plantlets at nodes — this is a classical example. Thus statement I (Strawberry) is correct.
3. Oxalis (some species, e.g., Oxalis corniculata) also produces stoloniferous (sub-aerial or creeping) stems that function as runners — statement II is correct.
4. Lateral branches of Chrysanthemum and Jasmine are not typical examples of runners (they are ordinary branches or branches used for vegetative growth, not specialized stolons). Hence III and IV are not correct examples of runners.
5. Therefore the correct pair of examples for "runners" is I & II. Hence, the correct answer is (2) I & II.