Question

Leaves of Bryophyllum fallen on the ground produce new plants whereas leaves of rose do not. Why?

Answer 1

Hint:Bryophyllum is also known as miracle leaf plant. The leaf margins have the tendency to produce buds. The leaves of rose are alternately borne on the stem. The stems have thorns.

Complete answer:
Bryophyllum is also known as an air plant. The leaf of the Bryophyllum plant is capable of reproducing asexually. They have buds present at the leaf margins. The buds are the protuberance on the vascular plants which are capable of growing into new leaf, shoot or entire plant. So the leaves fallen on the ground or moist soil can undergo vegetative propagation into a new plant with adventitious roots, shoot and ultimately to a new plant.

Leaves of roses do not show vegetative reproduction. Rather the stem of the rose plant has buds. They have the property to grow into a new plant. This process is known as grafting. This is a manual method and does not occur naturally.

Additional Information: The advantages of asexual reproduction is
-Rapid increase in the population under favourable conditions.
-It is faster than sexual reproduction.
-It does not need a mate. So it is energy efficient.
-The offsprings produced are identical to the parents.
-Conservation of genetic traits.

Note:The buds undergo mitosis of meristematic tissue and develop into plantlets. Bryophyllum is widely used as medicine to cure kidney stones. It is also used to cure piles, ulcers and wounds. It is also used as a blood purifier.