Question

Hypanthodium is a specialized type of
A) Thalamus
B) Ovary
C) Fruit
D) Inflorescence

Answer 1

Hint: In hypanthodium, the floral axis is fleshy in nature and is present in the pear form. It bears unisexual flowers that are, male and female flowers are borne separately. The flower formed is present in the hollow cavity. This can be seen in the fig plant.

Complete answer:
There are two main types of inflorescence that can be seen in the plants which are racemose and cymose. Besides them, there is also the presence of a special type of inflorescence present which is hypanthodium, cyathium, and verticillaster. In the hypanthodium inflorescence, the receptacle forms a hollow cavity. This hollow cavity is then guarded by the scales present. the flowers are borne on the inner wall or inner cavity of this hollow cavity. In this type of inflorescence, there is the presence of mainly unisexual flowers that is, the male and female flowers are present separately. The male flowers usually grow at the apex region of the cavity and the female flowers grow on the base of the hollow cavity. Many species of Ficus have hypanthodium type of inflorescence present in them.

So, the correct answer is option D, i.e., ‘inflorescence’

Note: Hypanthodium is a special type of inflorescence where the flowers are enclosed in a cavity and in that cavity, they are present in the cymose groups. The male flowers are always present at the tip of the cavity while the female flowers lie on the base of the cavity. Hypanthodium inflorescence is a characteristic feature of the fig plant and is only found in the species of the Ficus genus.