Question

Multicostate divergent reticulate venation is seen in _________ leaf.
A) Zizyphus
B) Bamboo
C) Castor
D) Mango

Answer 1

Hint:If more than one prominent vein arises from the base of the leaf blade, it is described as a multicostate condition.

Complete answer:
a. The leaves of Zizyphus jujuba grow alternately on the stem (spirally arranged). The shape of the leaves is very variable. The leaf is simple, bright green-colored above and paler beneath. The leaf is glossy, chartaceous, and glabrous above. The shape of the blade is elliptic, the apex is acute or obtuse, the base is rounded and the margins are denticulate. The venation of the leaf is reticulated with 3 prominent veins.
b. In bamboo, bracts on the rhizomes, sheaths around the culm and foliage leaves represent 3 different well-distinguished sorts of the monocot ‘leaf’. Rhizome bracts and culm sheaths are mainly protective and supportive, while foliage leaf blades are liable for photosynthesis. Culm sheaths and therefore the associated blades are vital for species identification, those from the lower mid-culm being most distinctive.
c. Palmate venation is also called a multicostate venation. In this, lamina has more than one principal vein. It is further divided into divergent reticulate venation and convergent reticulate venation. In divergent venation, the major veins diverge towards the tip. Examples include Castor, cotton.
d. Mango leaf has a pinnate reticulate venation. It is characterized as a presence of a central midrib and a bunch of small veins originating from the midrib and spread everywhere on the leaf. This is the most common form of venation.

Hence option ‘C’ Castor is the correct answer.

Note:In divergent venation, the major veins diverge towards the tip. In convergent venation, the major veins converge towards the tip.