Question

The inflorescence in Ocimum is

• A. cyathium
• B. verticillaster
• C. hypanthodium
• D. raceme

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Verticillaster consists of biparous cymes ending in uniparous scorpioid cymes on either side e.g. Ocimum and several members of family Labiatae.

Answer 2

The Correct Option is (B): verticillaster

Verticillaster inflorescence:

• Inflorescence is described as the arrangement of flowers on the floral axis.
• A type of inflorescence in which the flowers are aligned in a seeming whorl, generally sessile cymes, comprising a pair of opposite axillary is verticillaster inflorescence.
• A verticillaster refers to a fascicle with the composition of a dichasium and is a common feature among the members of the family of 'Lamiaceae'.
• 'Lamiaceae' - a family of flowering plants commonly known as the mint or sage family.
• Some examples are rosemary, basil, lavender, mint, etc.
• Ocimum is a genus of aromatic perennial and annual herbs and shrubs in the Lamiaceae family.
• It is further called tulsi or holy basil.
• Thus, the inflorescence commonly found in Ocimum or Basil is verticillaster inflorescence.

Answer 3

The Correct Option is (B): verticillaster

Verticillaster - a special type of inflorescence that is similar to condensed dichasial cyme inflorescence. Each dichasial cyme changes to a monochasial cyme of scorpioid type.

It is a raceme of verticals (whorls of flowers) borne on a rectangular axis in the axils of opposite leaves. There are two verticals at each node where each whorl consists of two clusters of 3-9 flowers, e.g., Ocimum (Tulsi), Saluia, and Leucas.

The correct option is (B).

Answer 4

The arrangement of flowers and distribution over a plant is known as inflorescence. The manner of arrangement occurs on a peduncle which is the axis of inflorescence.

Complete answer:
The inflorescence is divided into four main types-

1. Racemose inflorescence grows continuously as the main axis does not end in a single flower.
2. In cymose inflorescence, only a definite or determinate number of flowers are formed.  because the peduncle or the main axis ends in a single flower.
3. Mixed inflorescence, is where two or more types of inflorescence get mixed up and form some special types of inflorescence.
4. A special type of inflorescence, Tulsi(Ocimum) of Labiate exhibits Verticillaster inflorescence.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Verticillaster'.

Note: Tulsi, mints, and spearmint are members of an important medicinal plant family ‘Labiate’ or ‘Lamiaceae’ which exhibits verticillaster inflorescence. They are usually small herbs or shrubs with aromatic smells and cultivated for various purposes- medicinal, ornamental, culinary, and perfumery being some of them. A sacred plant grown in the Indian household for centuries is Tulsi which is described as a healing herb in Hindu traditions. It plays an important role in Ayurvedic medicines. Its medicinal properties include anti-microbial, anti-allergic, and anti-diabetic.