Question

Pollinia are found in
A. Rubiaceae
B. Asteraceae
C. Asclepiadaceae
D. Myrtaceae

Answer 1

Hint: Pollinia is a mass of pollen grains formed in each anther lobe. Each of the pollinium may contain millions of pollen grains. For example, Orchids.

Complete solution:
> Rubiaceae family is commonly known as madder, coffee or bedstraw family. It comprises herbs, shrubs, trees, and lianas. It is the fourth largest angiosperm family. The characteristic feature of Rubiaceae is the presence of stipules. This family also has plants of economic importance such as Cinchona.
> Asteraceae or composite family is also known as Daisy family. They have a specialized inflorescence containing flower heads or calathium, that appears like a single flower. For example, Dahlia, Chrysanthemum.
> Asclepiadaceae is also known as milkweed family. It contains perennial herbs, shrubs and very rarely trees are found in this family. It is the family that contains pollinia. Pollen grains in a pollinia are bound together by a sticky, clear substance known as viscin. Pollinium is transferred as a single unit during pollination. In some orchids, two masses of pollen grains are attached to each other. Some orchids also have waxy pollinia. There are generally two kinds of pollinia found- soft pollinia and hard pollinia.
> Myrtaceae also known as myrtle family. They have erect, woody and branched bark. Their leaves are generally opposite, simple and evergreen. Flowers with five petals, though in some petals are minute or absent.
> So, the correct answer is C

Note: Pollinia is not only found in Asclepiadaceae but also found in the Poaceae family. Poaceae is the largest family of the flowering plants. Members of Poaceae family are monocots as compared to Asclepiadaceae family in which members are dicot in nature.