Question

Cyathium and hypanthodium types of inflorescence are similar in having
A. Nectar glands
B. Apical pore
C. Petaloid bracts
D. Unisexual flowers

Answer 1

Hint: Inflorescence can be defined as the arrangement of flowers on the floral axis. It is categorized on the basis of the timing of flowering and basis of the arrangement.

Complete Answer:
Option A: Cyathium has nectar glands which are green in colour, but hypanthodium does not contain nectar glands. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

Option B: Hypanthodium has an apical pore which is known as ostiole, but Cyathium does not have it. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

Option C: : Cyathium has petaloid bracts, but hypanthodium does not contain petaloid bracts. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

Option D: Cyathium looks like a single flower. A cup-shaped involucre is formed by enclosing bracts of a single female flower and a large number of male flowers. Each male flower represents a single stamen while each single pistil represents a single female flower. The best example of this case is euphorbia.
- Hypanthodium is defined as a fleshy receptacle which leads to the formation of a hollow cavity featuring an apical opening known as the ostiole.
- The flowers develop along the inner wall of the hollow cavity. The male flowers are present along the opening while the female flowers lie close to the bottom featuring long styles.
- In between both the male and female flowers, you can find short-styled gall flowers which are known to be sterile. The example of this type of flower is ficus. Thus, both the examples belongs to the category of unisexual flowers. Therefore, this is the correct option.

Thus, the correct option is D) unisexual flowers.

Note: There are various types of inflorescence,
(I) Racemose - Here, the flowers are laterally branched in the floral axis.
(II) Cymose - Here, the flower is the end point of every floral axis.