Question

Which of the following is the correct statement for Gramineae?
A. The carpals has two styles
B. Spikelets are always in pairs
C. Palea is the bracteole
D. Awn is an appendage of the palea

Answer 1

Hint: The family Gramineae is also called as Poaceae. It is the family of monocotyledonous flowering plants known as grasses.

Complete Answer:
- The family Gramineae include the cereal grains, bamboo and the grasses.
- Gramineae is the fifth largest plant family. It consists of around 780 genera and 12000 species.
- The members of family Gramineae are commonly called as the grasses.
- Grasses are an important part of the vegetation in many areas like wetlands, forest and tundras.
- The name Poaceae was given by John Hendley Barnhart in 1895.

Characteristics of the members of Gramineae:
- The members of family Brassiceae have fibrous or adventitious root systems.
- Stem is erect and herbaceous with nodes and internodes in these plants.
- Spikelets are terminally present. Spikelets may be short stalked and consist of a pair of glumes.
- Flowers are bractate, sessile, zygomorphic and may be bisexual or unisexual.
- Flower lies between the superior and inferior palae.
- Stamens are either 3 in number or polyandrous.
- Ovary is superior.

Hence, option C is the correct option for this question.

Note: The gramineae is an economically important family as it provides the staple food which include cereal crops like wheat, maize, rice, barley, etc. Some members of the family Gramineae are used as the building materials like bamboo, straw and thatch. Others can be used as a fuel.