Question

Identify the correct statement.
(a)Smilax is a monocot with reticulate venation.
(b)A number of leaflets are present on the rachis of neem
(c)Stipules allow the leaf blade to flutter in the wind
(d)Pea plants have a swollen leaf base called the pulvinus

Answer 1

Hint: Leaf borne from the node of plant, different species of plant has different leaf modification, generally leaves are of two types simple and compound. In monocot, plants show parallel venation whereas in dicot plants show reticulation venation in leaves.

Complete answer:
A leaf is a green flattened outgrowth from the node of the plant which shows photosynthesis and supports in preparing food for the plants. A leaf is differentiated into three parts: leaf base, petiole, and lamina.
The vein and veinlet arrangement in the lamina of the leaf is termed as venation. Veins help in the conduction of water, minerals, and organic foods. Venation is of two types -In reticulate Venation, veins show minute branching in form of a network. Reticulate venation is a characteristic feature of a dicot plant.
Exception- Some monocots like Colocasia , Alocasia, Dioscorea, and Smilax also possess articulate venation.
-In parallel venation veins run parallel without forming a branch of veins. Parallel vacation is a characteristic feature of a monocot plant.
Exception- Some dicot like Calophyllum, Corymbium, Eryngium also possess parallel venation.

Additional Information: On the basis of incision, a leaf may be simple or compound. Simple leaf doesn't show incision whereas compound leaf on basis of the incision is of two types: pinnate compound leaf and palmate compound leaf. In neem, the lamina is divided only once and rachis is unbranched with opposite pairs, neem shows leaflets in odd numbers with one terminal leaflet unpaired.
Stipules are lateral growth of leaf base in dicot, in monocot plant stipules are absent. On the basis of its modification stipules are of different types like free lateral, scaly, petiolar, ochreate, interpetiolar, foliaceous, bud scales, spines, and tendril. Stipules protect the leaf and bud in the early-stage, on basis of modification stipule function for defense, support, and photosynthesis.
The leaf base is a part where the leaf gets attached to a stem node. In many leguminous plants, the leaf base is swollen which is called a pulvinus. Pulvinus is responsible for sleep and shock movement in some plants. In the monocot plant, the leaf base is broadened and forms a sheathing leaf base.
So, the correct answer is Smilax is a monocot with reticulate venation.

Note: In some insectivorous plants, the leaf is modified into a pitcher-like structure which helps in catching and digesting prey to fulfill the nitrogen demand of the plant. Examples are Dischidia, sarracenia, and nepenthes.