Question

Plants with joined stem and hollow internodes are known as
A. Culms
B. Scape
C. Ephemerals
D. Lianas

Answer 1

Hint: The grass species are the ones that have jointed stems with hollow internodes. These are used for animal feed as they are very nutritious. These specialized stems are also called aerial stems of grasses and sedges.

Complete answer: Most of the grass and sedge species have aerial stems that have hollow internodes and these are known as culms. Culm term is derived from a Latin word called ‘Culmus.’ The culms form the most obvious part of the grasses. They are involved in the photosynthetic process and also guarantee generative reproduction. These aerial stems expose flowers to various extreme and permanent environmental factors. These culms are green, stiff, and flexible. Most of the culms are tubular and their periphery is made of the epidermis with stomata. Culms also have a sub-epidermal part which is made of un-lignified Chlorenchyma. Chlorenchyma is a parenchyma tissue containing chloroplasts.

Culms are also sometimes referred to as rootlets of germinated grains in the production of malted grains. Deculming is a process in which culms are removed when producing barley malt. But in sorghum or millet malt production, culms form an important part. Culms are very nutritious parts of grass species. Thus, these are used as animal feed. Culms of sugarcane and bamboo trees are also very important parts used in industrial processes. Culms of bamboo are woody ringed stems having hollow nodes. The bamboo culms form branching clusters and they originate from the thick rhizome of bamboo.
So, from the above discussion, we can conclude that option A is the correct answer.

Note: Bamboo culms are of larger sizes with a height of 10 to 15 cm in small bamboos and 40 meters in large bamboo species. The bamboo culms have young leaves on them that arise directly from rings. Mature bamboo culms sprout and bear horizontal branches having leaves.