Question

Which one of the following has the largest floating leaves?
A) Banana
B) Victoria
C) Nelumbo
D) Date palm

Answer 1

It is commonly known as Giant Water Lily which has leaves of about 3 m in diameter. It is an aquatic plant.

Complete answer:
First we should know about types of leaves to answer this question. Leaves are among the most essential components of plants. They are important for the collection of oxygen, respiration, and preservation. Identification of the leaf is useful in classifying the plant variety and its family. There are various types of leaves, characterised by their structure and shape as well as other features. Leaves are two types: simple and compound leaves. Leaves with undivided blades are simple leaves which imply that each leaf of a plant is a single piece. Simple leaves can have edges which are jagged, rounded, or lobed. Compound leaves are divided-blade leaves with several leaflets bound to a vein or central stem extending down the centre of the clusters of leaflets. A leaflet is a smaller blade of a leaf which stretches out of the vein. Leaflets are not individual leaves like simple leaf blades. The floating leaves are simple leaves that are found mostly in aquatic plants
Now, let us find the solution from the options-
The leaves of bananas are not floating as they are not aquatic plants. The size of the banana leaves is generally 2.7 metres in diameter. Therefore, the option (A) is incorrect.
The Giant Water Lily is commonly known as Victoria Amazonica. They've got the largest floating leaves. Their large floating leaves have a diameter of up to 3 metres. On the water’s shore, the leaves float on a submerged stalk.
The size of the Nelumbo leaves i.e., lotus is 0.8 metres in diameter. It is a perennial water plant. Therefore, the option (C) is incorrect.
Date palm does not have floating leaves. They have pinnate leaves. They are not aquatic plants. Therefore, the option (D) is incorrect.

Thus, the correct answer is option (B) Victoria

Note: In order to survive submerged in water or on the surface of the water, aquatic plants need specific adaptations. The existence of lightweight inner packing cells, aerenchyma, is the most common adaptation, although floating leaves and fine dissected leaves are also common. Aquatic plants could only grow in water or in soil occasionally saturated with water. Thus, they are a typical part of wetlands. The Amazon water lily is one of the world's largest aquatic plants; the minute duckweed is one of the smallest.