Question

In which inflorescence the ratio of female to male flowers is $1:\alpha ?$
A) Hypanthodium
B) Cyathium
C) Catkin
D) Verticillaster

Answer 1

When a cluster of flowers are laid out on a stem which constitutes the main branch, they are termed as ‘Inflorescence’. It is the modified part of the shoot of seed plants where the flowers are formed. It can also be interpreted as the progenitive portion of plants that bear a group of flowers in specific patterns.

Complete Answer:
- Hypanthodium Inflorescence is distinguished by a fat and closed receptacle.
- The inflorescence type where a single female flower is surrounded by several male flowers is known as ‘Cyathium Inflorescence’.
- Catkin Inflorescence is characterized by a nail-like inflorescence of unisexual, apetalous flowers.
- In Verticillaster Inflorescence, in the distinct structure of a dichasium, it creates a fascicle. Along with several reduced bracts, it then forms a spicate (spike-like) inflorescence.
- Thus, we can say that Cyathium inflorescence is the correct answer as it has the ratio of female to male flowers as one female to infinite number of male flowers, which can be depicted as $1:\alpha$.

Note:
In Cyathium we can see several components:
i. They are: five small, united bracts and they form a cup-like structure.
ii. Five nectar glands.
iii. From the base of involucre, an extremely reduced single female flower stands in the centre which has an ovary.
iv. Five groups of extremely reduced male flowers carrying a single anther on a stem.