Question

If the anthers are fused together forming a tubular structure while the filaments remain free, the condition is found in which one of the following families?
A. Malvaceae
B. Cucurbitaceae
C. Solanaceae
D. Asteraceae

Answer 1

Hint: The anther is a part of the male reproductive system, also known as androecium. The plants that bear fused anthers and form tube-like structures belong to the family also known as daisy family.

Complete answer: The stamen is the male reproductive organ of a flower that delivers the dust. It normally comprises a thin filament and an anther. The stamens of the flower are on the whole called androecium. Generally, anthers are two-lobed structures and are joined to the filament either at the base or in the centre. Organisms that belong to Asteraceae have anthers fused together forming a tubular structure, while the filaments remain free. A circumstance where the anther is intertwined into a cylindrical structure and the fibres are free is called as synandrous and is an element of the family Asteraceae. Nearly all Asteraceae bear their flowers in dense heads (capitulo or pseudanthium) surrounded by involucral bracts. Viewing from a distance, each capitulum may appear as a single flower. The enlarged outer (peripheral) flowers in the capitula might resemble petals, and the involucral bracts may look like a calyx. The name Asteraceae comes from the word Aster meaning star and refers to the star-like form of the inflorescence. The alternative name Compositae is still valid under the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants.
Hence, the correct answer is option D.

Note: Asteraceae is a very large family of angiosperms. Most of the members that belong to this family are either annual or perennial plants. It includes shrubs, vines and trees. It also has economic importance such as cooking oils, vegetable oils are derived from organisms belonging to this family.