Question

In banana, the true stem is underground. The stem-like structure outside soil is formed by
A. Peduncle
B. Petiole of leaves
C. Leaf bases
D. Overlapping of leaves

Answer 1

Banana is a tree-like perennial herb because suckers and shoots arise from the lateral buds on the rhizome. It takes over and develops into fruit-bearing stems. Banana plants are tropical and have a sturdy true pseudostem.

Complete answer: Banana or Musa paradisiaca has a complex shoot system because its true stem is below ground and this type of modified stem is known as the rhizome. The leaf base helps in the formation of a thin-stem-like structure known as suckers which are above the soil. The leaf base is known as hyphopodium. The suckers grow horizontally in the soil and form a new aerial shoot or crown. Suckers have scaly leaves, nodes, and axillary buds. Banana plants are tropical and have a sturdy true pseudostem. The leaves are arranged in a spiral manner on the top of the trunk and it has rolled leaf bases. The leaves have large blades with veins and midrib. Every pseudostem produces a banana heart or group of flowers that develop fruit in a hanging cluster.
Hence, the correct option is C-Leaf bases.

Note: A sucker is a form of lateral root that develops from the rhizome and is close to the mother plant. It is a type of clone of the mother plant that will replace the mother plant after fruiting. They are of two types- water suckers(looks like a miniature of the banana plant) and sword suckers (narrow).