Question

The fruit in Datura is
A. Loculicidal capsule
B. Septifragal capsule
C. Septicidal capsule
D. Porous capsule

Answer 1

Datura belongs to the genus of vespertine flowering plants found in the family of Solanaceae plants. The datura plant is a poisonous plant and is commonly known as the thorn apples or devil’s trumpets. The plant is native to the dry and temperate as well as tropical regions of America, Mexico. Some species are also found in India, Southeast Asia, China and parts of Australia.

Complete answer:
The plants of the Datura species are herbaceous annuals and are short lived perennials. They are leafy shrubs like plants. The leaves are alternate and contain a lobed or a toothed margin. The plant bears flowers that are erect and spreading. The flowers are trumpet shaped and are broad at the mouth. The colors of the flowers may vary from white to yellow, pink and pale purple. The flowers give rise to the fruit which is a spiny capsular structure. Upon ripening, the flower bursts open and liberates numerous seeds.
The fruit in Datura is warty and it is a septic capsule. A capsule is a variety of dry, rarely fleshy fruit. The septicidal capsules bear dehiscence lines which are found to be aligned to the sutures of the ovary. The septa or the placenta is between the carpals. The fruit splits into the segments which are known as valves.
However, the dehiscence is of septifragal nature. A septifragal capsule in the type of dehiscence in which the placenta is found to be remained attached in the center of the undivided fruit and the segment of pericarp.
Loculicidal capsules are known to possess longitudinal lines of dehiscence radially joined and aligned with the locules. The dehiscence is radially not at the septa along with the midribs or dorsal suture of the locules. This type is found in many members of Liliaceae such as Lilium.
Porous capsule is also known as poricidal capsule and the capsule dehiscence through the pores or the openings in the capsule. This is found in Papaver plant, cotton, orchid etc.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: The Datura plant is a poisonous plant and bears fruit capsules. The capsules in Datura are known as septicidal capsules where the lines of dehiscence are found to be aligned to the ovary sutures. In this type, the placenta is found in between the carpals.