In genetics, traits can be either dominant or recessive. Dominant traits are expressed when at least one dominant allele is present, while recessive traits require two recessive alleles for their expression. In this context, let's identify the recessive trait among the provided options:
- Inflated pod shape: This is a recessive trait. In pea plants, traits like the shape of the pod can be either inflated or constricted. Inflated pod shape requires two recessive alleles to be expressed.
- Purple flower: This is a dominant trait. Purple flower color tends to be more common because it is expressed with just one dominant allele.
- Axile placentation: This refers to the arrangement of ovules within the ovary. In plants, this trait is not typically classified in terms of dominance or recessiveness in the same way as seed pod shape or flower color.
- Length of stem: Stem length can vary, but without specific context about whether it concerns a trait such as tall or short in known models like Mendel's pea plants, it's not clearly established as a recessive trait here.
Conclusion: The trait that shows recessiveness out of the options provided is the "Inflated pod shape."