Question

Read the following five statements (A-E):
A. Sheathing leaf base is found in monocotyledons.
B. In some leguminous plants the leaf base may become swollen. Which is called the pulvinus.
C. A bud is present in the axil of leaflets of the compound leaf.
D. Palmately compound leaves are found in neem.
E. Whorled phyllotaxy is found in Alstonia.
a. Four
b. One
c. Two
d. Three
How many of the above statements are correct?

Answer 1

Hint: In many grasses and monocotyledons, the base of the leaf is broad and they are surrounded by the stem envelope, base leaf which is called a sheathing leaf base. Examples of such plants are Wheat, Palms, etc.

Complete answer:
Let’s consider every statement one by one:
a. Monocotyledons are the plants with a single embryonic leaf or one cotyledon. The leaves of these plants are large and broad thus, they are covered with a base cover also called a sheathing leaf base. So, this statement is correct.
B. In leguminous plants, their roots are attached with nitrogen fixation bacteria. The leaf of these plants is attached by the stem with the leaf base. In some cases, the leaf base may turn to swollen condition, which is known as pulvinus. So, this statement is also correct.
C. Compound leaves are those having blades of leaf and are divided into several leaflets. Each leaf of a type of compound leaf, has a bud which will become a new leaf. So, there are no buds at the base of each leaflet. So, this option is not correct.
D. Examples of Palmately compounds are cotton tree, Penis quadrifolium, trifolium, etc. But neem is not the example of Palmately compound leaf. Thus, this option is not correct.
E. Whorled phyllotaxy is the pattern of arrangement of leaves on the stem. So, in Alstonia, from the node of the plant arises two or more leaves and forms a whorl like structure. Thus, this question is also correct.

So, we can say that three statements are correct. So, option ‘D’ is correct.

Note: Palmately compound leaves are from which leaflets radiate or come out from the same point. Like hand-palm structure. In these leaves, each leaflet is part of the individual leaf so all branches come out from the axil of the main leaf.