Question

Identify the order where plants show alternate, opposite and whorled phyllotaxy.
A. China rose, Calotropis , and Nerium
B. China rose, Nerium , and Calotropis
C. Nerium , China rose, and Calotropis
D. Calotropis , Nerium and China rose

Answer 1

Phyllotaxy of a plant is the study of arrangement of leaves on an axis or stem. The term ‘phyllotaxy’ was coined by Charles Bonnet.

Complete Answer:
(I) Alternate phyllotaxy: Alternate phyllotaxy is the arrangement of leaves.
- In this type of phyllotaxy, a single leaf occurs at each node in an alternate manner .
- It is a special type of arrangement in which there is only one leaf at a node.
Example –this type of phyllotaxy is shown by the china rose, barberry, black walnut, Sunflower etc.

(II) Opposite phyllotaxy: Opposite phyllotaxy is a type of leaf arrangement in which a pair of leaves arise at each node opposite to each other.
Example- this type of phyllotaxy is shown by guava, Calotropis , etc.

(III) Whorled phyllotaxy: Whorled phyllotaxy is a type of arrangement in which more than two leaves arise at a node and form a whorl.
Example – Alstonia, Nerium , etc.
So, the order where plants show alternate, opposite and whorled phyllotaxy is China rose, Calotropis , and Nerium.

Hence, option A is the correct option.

Note: The phyllotaxy term is coined by Charles Bonnet. The study of phyllotaxy is used to describe the arrangement of leaves on a plant.