Question

The female inflorescence of Maize is
A) Spadix
B) Spike
C) Catkin
D) Corymb

Answer 1

Hint: During the formation of floral meristem the axis condenses and internodes do not elongate. The axis bears flowers at successive nodes instead of leaves.

Complete Answer:
The flowers are borne either singly or in clusters on the shoot. The shoot tip when transformed into a flower it becomes solitary. The arrangement of flowers on the axis of the flower of the plant is called an inflorescence. The flowers can be arranged in different ways, depending upon whether the shoot apex continues to grow or convert into a flower.

The two major types of inflorescence that can occur are:
1) Racemose
2) Cymose

Now consider the options provided in the question to reveal the correct option,
A) Spadix: it is a spike with a fleshy axis and that has both male and female flowers. It is surrounded by large colored bracts called the spathe. It is a type of racemose inflorescence. Examples are palm and monocots (maize).

B) Spike: peduncle has bisexual and sessile flowers. It is a type of racemose inflorescence. Example: Achyranthes.

C) Catkin: it is a spike with pendulous in the leaf axis that bears unisexual flowers. It is a type of racemose inflorescence. Example: mulberry.

D) Corymb: The main axis is short. The lower flowers have long Pedicles compared to upper ones so that all the flowers are brought more or less to the same level. The main axis is short. It is a type of racemose inflorescence. Example: iberis.

So, the correct answer is 'Spadix'.

Note: Some special types of inflorescences are, verticillaster, cyathium, Hypanthodium.