Question

The plant Oxalis propagates by :
a) Suckers
b) Rhizomes
c) Runners
d) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Oxalis is a genus of plants that are commonly known as wood sorrels or false shamrocks. These plants reproduce through vegetative structures that arise from an axillary bud.

Complete answer:
Asexual reproduction is a type of reproduction in which only a single parent is involved.
Vegetative reproduction is a type of asexual reproduction in which the plants reproduce through structures called vegetative propagules.
Some vegetative propagules are suckers, rhizomes, runners etc.
Oxalis propagation by runners. Runners are creeping stems with long internodes that run horizontally on the soil surface. The nodes bear axillary buds, scale leaves and adventitious roots. Runners arise from an axillary bud.
The parent plant produces runners in all directions. These runners then break and grow into individual plants.

Additional information:
Suckers are one of the units of vegetative propagation. It develops from a lateral bud on the rhizome and emerges from the soil near the parent plant. These are also called root sprouts. Examples of plants that reproduce through suckers are apple, tomato, banana etc.
Root-like stems that grow horizontally under the ground are called Rhizomes. New roots and shoots form at the nodes, with shoots growing upwards to form new plantlets. The Lateral buds grow and form new rhizomes. Examples of plants that reproduce through rhizomes are ginger etc.

So, the correct answer is c) Runners.

Note:
Runners arise from the axillary buds, while rhizomes arise from lateral buds. Oxalis reproduces through runners as well as bulbils. The bulbils detach, which grow into new plants.