Question

Which of the following family has Bicarpellary, syncarpous gynoecium with bilocular ovary axile swollen placenta and oblique septum?
A. Cruciferae
B. Solanaceae
C. Cucurbitaceae
D. Liliaceae

Answer 1

Hint: Let’s try and understand the characteristics of each family given in the options.
Cruciferae - Brassicaceae or mustard family
Solanaceae - Potato family
Cucurbitaceae - Gourd/melon family
Liliaceae - Lily family

Complete step-by-step answer:
 The characteristics given in the question are:-
- Bicarpellary- 2 carpels
- Syncarpous- carpels are fused with each other
- Bilocular ovary- ovary has two locules or two chambers inside them
- Axile swollen placenta- It refers to the axial or central arrangement of seeds inside the ovary along the axis.
- Oblique septum- The septum separating the ovary’s locules or chambers is found in an oblique manner.
Now, we need to look into the options and find their characteristics.
1) The Liliaceae family has a tricarpellary and syncarpous arrangement i.e the carpels are present in groups of 3, hence it cannot be our answer.
2) Cucurbitaceae family like the lily family has tricarpellary, syncarpous arrangement. It cannot be our answer too.
Now, we are left with the Cruciferae and Solanaceae family. Interestingly, both of them have bicarpellary and syncarpous arrangements. But, mustards do not show an axile arrangement; rather it shows parietal arrangement of their seeds(arranged in the peripheral region of the fruit).
Thus, the Solanaceae family shows bicarpellary, syncarpous gynoecium with bilocular ovary, axile swollen placenta, and oblique septum.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Additional Information: Cruciferae has an unilocular ovary which in later stages turn into bilocular.

Note: Solanaceae family or potato family is also known as the nightshade family. It consists of edible vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, etc. It is one of mankind's most used family of plants.