Question

How many plants in the list below have composite fruits that develop from an inflorescence? Walnut, poppy, radish, fig, pineapple, apple, tomato, mulberry.
A) 4
B) 5
C) 2
D) 3

Answer 1

Hint: Let us first understand what is meant by inflorescence and composite fruit. The arrangement of clusters of flowers on the floral axis or stem is called inflorescence and the fruits that are developed from the entire inflorescence are called composite fruits.

Complete answer:
Composite fruits are also called as infructescence. Among walnut, poppy, radish, fig, pineapple, apple, tomato and mulberry, the fruits that fall into the category of composite fruits are fig, pineapple and mulberry.

Additional information: The fleshy, seed bearing part of a tree or a plant that is developed from the ovary of the flowers called as fruit. Based on their specifications, fruits are categorised into;
Pome: these fruits are formed from the receptacle of the flower. Eg: pear, apple.
Berry: these fruits have many seeds. Eg: tomatoes, pepper etc. Strawberries do not belong to this group.
Drupe: they are single seeded fleshy fruits, whose seed is covered with shard endocarp. Eg: olives, coconut and peaches.
Aggregate fruits: these are developed from a flower that has multiple pistils. Eg: strawberries.
Capsules: they are dry fruits with several carpels.Eg: orchids.
Legumes: they are also called pods. They are dehiscent fruits that split along two sides. Eg: peas, beans.
Nuts: they have a single edible seed with a hard pericarp. Eg: acorns.
Multiple fruits: they are formed by a cluster of flowers or inflorescence joined together. Eg: pineapple.

Therefore the correct answer is option (D) 3.

Note:Remember that aggregate fruits and composite fruits are two different kinds of fruits. Aggregate fruits are developed from the multiple carpels of the same flower. Whereas composite fruits are developed from a cluster of flowers.