Question

Which of the following is a type of polypetalous corolla?
A) Infundibuliform corolla
B) Campanulate corolla
C) Ligulate
D) Caryophyllaceous

Answer 1

Corolla is the second whorl of a flower that contains petals that serve functions like attracting pollinators and protecting the reproductive parts of a flower. Petals are brightly coloured and scented in order to attract animals and insects for the process of pollination. The calyx and corolla are together called the perianth.

Complete answer:
Carolla means a collection of petals. By polypetalous corolla, we mean that the petals are free from each other. The other form is gamopetalous where the petals are fused either partially or wholly. The various types of the corolla are

Infundibuliform corolla is regular, gamopetalous(fused petals) which means they have fused petals in the shape of a funnel, an example is members of Convolvulaceae. Therefore they are not polypetalous corolla.

Campanulate corolla is a bell-shaped corolla and possesses gamopetalous corolla, hence not a type of polypetalous corolla. Example: campanula.

Ligulate is a strap-shaped, zygomorphic, gamopetalous corolla with a short and narrow tube and strap, flat upper portion. Hence it is also not a type of polypetalous corolla. An example is ray florets of Compositae

Caryophyllaceous is a special type of polypetalous corolla in which the five petals spread out and each petal comprises a narrow basal portion which is called the claw and an upper expanded portion called the limb. An example of the polypetalous corolla is the rose. The diagram below shows a polypetalous arrangement in Gardenia.

Additional information: The important parts of a flower are the sepals, petals, stamens and pistils. Sepals and petals are the vegetative parts of a flower. Flowers reproduce by a process called pollination where the male gametes are transferred to the female ovules where fertilization occurs and ovules grow into seeds within a fruit.

Therefore the correct answer is option ‘D’.

Note: Different forms of the corolla which are found in the flowers include polypetalous regular, polypetalous irregular, gamopetalous regular and gamopetalous irregular. Petals are accompanied by another set of modified leaves that are known as sepals, which collectively form the calyx and rest below the corolla. When the petals and sepals of a flower are difficult to differentiate, they are together called tepals.