Question

Cyathium inflorescence is found in
A. Croton
B. Ficus
C. Euphorbia
D. Ricinus

Answer 1

Hint: Cyathium are clusters of small cup-shaped greenish structures that are considered to be the form of inflorescence seen in a family. They are unisexual apetalous flowers which in the case of male flowers are clustered and reduced into a single stamen and in the case of the female flower, it clusters to form a single ovary held on a pedicle/ stalk.

Complete answer: The euphorbia is one of the largest genera of flowering plants with around 2000 species ranging from small garden weeds to gigantic cactuses. These species do not have a typical inflorescence as seen in other flowering plants. The euphorbia species inflorescence by producing cyathium. The cyathium or cyathia is a cluster of small greenish cup-shaped structures that constitute the male and female reproductive parts of the plant. These structures are not technically considered to be true flowers. The male flowers occur as a cluster which is often reduced to a single stamen and the female flowers have a single ovary placed on a stalk. In some species, the ovary is present deep within the cluster but generally are placed and present extended. As the genera are typically asexual they require the help of insect pollinators. Even though these clusters are not true flowers, the cyathium possesses several small greenish glands on the rim which secrete nectar and attract insects.
Therefore the correct answer is C.

Note: Clusters of flowers formed in euphorbia are known as cyathium or cyathia, and this type of inflorescence is only seen in the genera of euphorbia. They are unisexual and the clusters are either reduced to a single stamen or a single ovary. To attract insect pollinators they secrete greenish nectar from specialized glands. The inflorescence in figs is called syconium, which is a hollow structure from the stem. The inflorescence in the case of Croton and Ricinus is termed as racemes, which means a mixture of different flowering patterns.