Question

Type of stem modification found in Zaminkand is
A) Scale leaves
B) Rhizome
C) Corm
D) Both 1 and 3

Answer 1

Hint: The species Amorphophallus titanum (Zaminkand), 'corpse flower' or titan arum, is the world's largest unbranched inflorescence, up to 2.5 m tall, and smells bad.

Complete answer:
> It is found in the wild as an understory plant growing in the rainforests of western Sumatra, Indonesia, very close to the equator, on the steep limestone hillsides of the Barisan mountain range. Temperatures, humidity, the strength of light and the duration of the day remain reasonably constant. The daytime temperatures in the tropical rainforest are $80-90^0$ F per day.
> The leaves of Amorphophallus titanum grow to gigantic proportions for 4 to 24 months before they die and are replaced by another one. For just around 6 months, young plants keep their leaves, while older plants keep them much longer.
> A large underground tube feeds the single giant leaf. The tuber starts life very small, but during each growth cycle it can double in weight and after 8-10 years it can be massive ... between 20 and 300 pounds and is larger than a basketball (20 to 40 pounds in diameter).
> Stems are part of a plant's shooting mechanism. They may range in length from a few millimetres to hundreds of metres, and may also differ in diameter depending on the type of plant.
> Stems are generally above ground, although the stems of certain plants, such as potatoes, often grow underground. Stems can be grassy (soft) or woody in nature. Their main function is to sustain the plant by carrying leaves , flowers and buds.
Various types of underground stems include:
> Bulb-Short, upright organ leaves that have been changed into thick, fleshy scales. Tulips, daffodils and lilies.
> Corm-Short, upright, hard or fleshy stems covered with small, dry, leathery leaves.
> Rhizome-A reduced scale of leaves. The top can produce leafy branches, while the bottom can produce roots.
> Stolon-Horizontal stems that run at or just below the surface of the soil with nodes that root and long inner circles, the ends grow new plants. They're called "runners" when they're above ground.
> Tuber-The swollen fleshy end of the stem, usually from rhizomes, but also also from thickened roots.
A variety of underground stems are eaten, including onion, potatoes, ginger, yam and taro.

Thus the correct answer is option(c)Corm.

Note: The stem of the plant links the roots with the leaves, helping to carry absorbed water and minerals to various areas of the plant. It also helps to transport the products of photosynthesis, i.e. sugar, to the rest of the plant from leaves.