Question

In some fruits the edible part is not the usual fruit. It is
a. Berry
b. Drupe
c. Sorosis
d. Syconus

Answer 1

Hint: Fruit is a matured ovary which encloses seeds. It is either seedless or has seeds. Seeds are developed from the ovules after fertilization. Development of fruits in seedless plants is carried out without fertilization. This process is called parthenocarpy.

Complete answer:
A fruit is developed as the ovaries mature in a plant. It is either seedless or has seeds. In syconus, the edible part is not the usual fruit. It is a composite fruit which is formed from a hollow fleshy inflorescence stalk in which tiny flowers develop. Syconus is developed from hypanthodium inflorescence, such as figs.

Figs exhibit syconium type of inflorescence. They are formed by enlarged, fleshy, hollow receptacle with multiple ovaries inside. Syconium is an urn shaped receptacle which has many florets on its inner surface. The formation of syconium begins with the growth of bracts which curve to form receptacles. When the bracts on the outer side of the flower meet, they form an ostiole by interlock. They are either dioecious or monoecious. Once they are pollinated, these florets develop into achenes.

Pollination in Syconium: syconia are highly pollinator specific. When the ostiole is receptive to pollen, it loosens itself allowing the wasp to enter. Sometimes, the wasp loses their wings during the process and once they are inside, they lay eggs in some of the ovules, thus pollinating the female flowers. The wasps stay stuck inside and eventually die and their larvae drop in the galls formed whereas the seeds develop in pollinated flowers.

Hence, the correct answer is option (d).

Note: Wasps and figs show the relationship of mutualism as they both benefit each other. Fig is known to be an infructescence which is an ensemble of fruits and acts as a single unit. They are native to Asia.