Question

Calyx with free components is
(a) Gamosepalous
(b) Polypetalous
(c) Polysepalous
(d) Gamopetalous

Answer 1

Calyx constitutes the outermost floral organs. It’s component parts are the sepals. Sepals are usually green in color, and in structure and in structure and function they resemble foliage leaves. In some plants, they are brightly colored like petals. Such sepals are called petaloid sepals (e.g., Mussaenda) . Very rarely calyx gets modified into a hairy structure, called pappus. It is an adaptation for seed dispersal.

Complete step by step answer:
Sepals are always sessile and generally have an entire margin. In some cases, however, the margin of the sepals is uneven. This, in rose, the margin is coarsely toothed. The Calyx may be polysepalous or gamosepalous. In polysepalous, sepals are free from each other. Whereas in gamosepalous, sepals fuse to form a cup (e.g., Hibiscus). Based on the fate of sepals, four kinds of calyces can be recognized; (a) Caducous calyx: Sepals fall off soon after flower opening e.g., poppy. (b) Deciduous- sepals fall off together with petals. (c) Persistent calyx: Sepals do not fall off, but persist on the fruit. (d) Sepals are persistent and the calyx continues to grow as a loose jacket around the fruit.

Additional information:
- A flower is a modified shoot specialized for reproduction or flower is the reproductive organ of a plant.
- A flower consists of a very short axis, called the thalamus. Arranged on the thalamus are the floral whorls.
- Typically a flower has four floral whorls, namely calyx, corolla, androecium, and gynoecium.
- Flowers having these four floral whorls are called complete flowers those without one or more floral whorls are called incomplete flowers.
- Corolla is the most attractive part of the flower. It is colored and scented. The gynoecium is the female reproductive part and Androecium is the male reproductive part.
So, the correct answer is ‘(c) Polysepalous.’

Note:
The main function of the calyx is to protect delicate petals and essential organs, i.e. Androecium and Gynoecium. When the sepals are green calyx performs photosynthesis to some extent. When calyx is modified into pappus hairs, it helps in seed dispersal by wind. When calyx is colored, showy, and petaloid, it helps in pollination. In balsam, one of the sepals forms a tubular structure called a spur.