Question

Read the following matches. Which of these is correct?

(i) Wild pea	Petiolar tendril
(ii) Sweet pea	Leaflet tendril
(iii) Gloriosa superba	Stipular tendril
(iv) Australian Acacia	Phyllodes

A) (ii) and (iii)
B) (i) and (iv)
C) (ii), (iii) and (iv)
D) (ii) and (iv)

Answer 1

A short threadlike appendage of a climbing plant that spreads out and twines around any suitable support, commonly in a spiral pattern. A tendril is a specialised stem, leaf, or petiole with a threadlike form utilised by climbing plants for support and attachment, as well as by parasitic plants like Cuscuta for cellular penetration.

Complete answer:
A tendril, also known as a specialised leaf, stem, or petiole, is a specialised leaf, stem, or petiole. It has the appearance of a thread. It climbs the plants, giving mechanical support for them. Furthermore, these tendrils aid in plant adhesion, and in the case of parasitic plants, these tendrils aid in cellular invasion by twinning around the appropriate host.

Modified leaves, auxiliary branches, and modified shoots can all be used to create these tendrils. They have chemical sensitivity, which aids in the prediction of plant growth. In the Pisum sativum, terminal leaflets are modified to create tendrils (garden peas). In Lathyrus aphasia, however, the entire leaf is transformed into tendrils (yellow vetch).

Stipules also get larger, allowing photosynthesis to take place. Axillary tendrils are seen in Passiflora, Vitis, and Cucurbita, while decreased leaf tendrils are found in Luffa, and tendril stipulation occurs in Smilax.

Leaflet tendril of Sweetpea and Australian Acacia – Phyllodes. Gloriosa Superba is classified as a leaf tip tendril rather than a stipular tendril. A petiole tendril is not a wild pea.

So, ii and iv is the correct answer. Therefore the correct answer is option ‘D’.

Note: The tendrils are frequently discovered twinning around the host because to their sense of touch, but they have developed a self-discrimination mechanism that prevents them from twinning around themselves.