Question

Epigynous flowers are present in
(a) Mustard
(b) Brinjal
(c) China rose
(d) Cucumber

Answer 1

Hint: This is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. It is used as a salad to provide various nutrients but is low in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium content. Squash and different kinds of melon, including bitter melon are the other members of the Cucurbitaceae family.

Complete step by step answer:
 Epigynous flowers are present in cucumber plants. In epigynous flowers, the sepals, petals, and stamens seem to arise from the top of the ovary. In such flowers, the ovary is often said to be inferior and the other floral whorls are superior. That means the ovary is to be seen below the flower. Example as found in the common honeysuckle. Epigynous flowers consist of flask-shaped thalamus.
- Epigynous flowers are regarded as of higher rank as compared to those of hypogynous flowers.
- In the highest family, the Compositae, all the flowers are epigynous.
- The flowers of mustard, brinjal, and china rose are hypogynous flowers.
- In hypogynous flowers, the perianth (a combination of calyx and corolla) and stamens are attached to the receptacle below the gynoecium.
- The ovary is superior to perianth and stamens, and the remaining floral organs arise from below the point of origin of the carpel.

So, the correct answer is, ’(d) Cucumber’.

Note:
- In epigynous flowers receptacle is expanded or hollowed out to enclose an ovary and is fused with the wall of the ovary
- It consists of adherent and superior calyx instead the corolla is above the ovary.
- In this type of flower only style and stigma are visible. Some plants bearing epigynous flowers are banana, squash, melon, apple, daffodil, etc..