Question

The capitulum type of inflorescence is found in
A) Marigold
B) Slavia
C) Euphorbia
D) Jasmine

Answer 1

Hint:- In flowering plants, the flowers usually have a set position on the floral axis or the main axis. This positioning of flowers is known as inflorescence. Inflorescence can be mainly classified into two types- determinate inflorescence (cymose) and indeterminate inflorescence (racemose). The terminal end of the axis, in case of plants showing indeterminate inflorescence, keeps growing. While in the case of determinate inflorescence the main axis always ends with the growth of a flower.

Complete Answer:- Racemose inflorescence type can be subdivided into- raceme, spike, corymb, umbel, spadix, capitulum, and catkin.
Plants with capitulum inflorescence have floral axes in the shape of a flat disk-like structure, instead of being an elongated axis that bears flowers. These plants bear hundreds and thousands of individual flowers that look like one whole flower. These small, individual flowers are called florets. The outer florets are longer and are called ray florets. The florets on the flat disk are called disk florets. This type of inflorescence is seen in plants belonging to the Asteraceae family. The Asteraceae family is one of the largest flowering plant families. Flowers such as sunflowers, marigold, etc. belong to this family.
Plants belonging to the genus Salvia are usually herbs and shrubs. These plants come under the mint family. They are aromatic plants that bear flowers at the terminal end. Therefore they show cymose inflorescence. The flowers belonging to the genus Euphorbia show cymose inflorescence. Jasmine flowers are borne on the terminal end of the stalk usually in a group of three or more. They show cymose inflorescence.

The correct option is (A). Marigold shows capitulum type inflorescence.

Note:- Inflorescence seen in flowering plants can be altered by the insects that feed on the plant. Temperatures affect inflorescence to varying degrees. For some plants, high temperatures could slow down the development of flower buds while in others it could speed up the flowering process.
In certain plants, the type of inflorescence is difficult to determine or the inflorescence is an intermediate type.