Question

Among the following, identify the correct order of plants which exhibit hypogynous, epigynous and perigynous flowers respectively.
i. Physalis, Sesbania, Tridax
ii. Lathyrus, Tagetus, Smilax
iii. Tephrosia, Lathyrus, Tridax
iv. Abutilon, Lathyrus, Tagetus

a. (I) and (III)
b. (II) and (IV)
c. (II) and (III)
d. (I) and (IV)

Answer 1

Flowers of a plant are of immense importance, because they are involved with sexual reproduction of the plant. The female reproductive part contains the ovary. Flowers can be of various types based on the location of the ovary in relation to the other parts of the flower.

Complete answer:
There are four parts of a flower – sepals, petals, stamens and carpels. The female reproductive part is called the carpel and comprises the style, stigma and ovary.

Based on the position of the ovary, relative to the other parts, a flower can be of three types. They are:
Hypogynous – when the sepals, petals and stamens are positioned below the ovary.
Perigynous – when the ovary and the other parts are situated at the same level.
Epigynous – when the ovary is below all the other parts.

Fig 2: From left to right – Hypogynous, Perigynous, Epigynous Flowers

Physalis, Abutilon, Smilax and Tephrosia exhibit Hypogyny.
Sesbania and Lathyrus exhibit Perigyny.
Tridax and Tagetus exhibit Epigyny.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Additional information:
Flowers are modified shoots of the plant. The stamens and carpels constitute the reproductive parts of the flower. Stamens are the male reproductive part which comprises anther and filament. The carpel forms the female part and has further three components – the style, stigma and ovary.
They take part in sexual reproduction and ensure that the particular species of the plant do not become extinct. This is achieved by a process called pollination. Pollination is the process by which pollen grains are transferred from the anther of one flower to the stamen of the same flower or another.

Note: Flowers can be Hypogynous, Epigynous and Perigynous based on the position of ovaries. Ovaries in Hypogynous flowers are said to be superior. Perigynous flowers are said to have half-inferior ovaries. While Epigynous flowers have inferior ovaries. Hypogyny is exhibited by mustard, petunia, china rose, etc. Peas, plum and peach exhibit Perigyny, while Epigynous flowers are apple, sunflower, etc.