Question
Biology Question on morphology of flowering plants
In cyathium inflorescence
Single male flower is surrounded by female flowers
Single female flower surrounded by many maleflowers
Male and female flowers are borne in differentplants
There is one male and one female flower
Single female flower surrounded by many maleflowers
Solution
Cyathium is a special type of inflorescence. It is highly reduced and looks like a small flower. In this case an involucre of bracts fuses to form a deep cup-like structure. Nectaries are present at the rim of the cup. Many unisexual flowers are present in this cup. In the centre there is a single female flower. It is highly reduced and represented by a tricarpellary, syncarpous, gynoecium. This female flower is surrounded by 4-5 groups of male flowers. Male flower is also highly reduced and is represented by a single stamen. This inflorescence is found in some members of Euphorbiaceae like Euphorbia sp. and Poinsettia sp.