Question

Whole leaf is modified into tendril in
(a)Lathyrus aphaca
(b)Lathyrus odoratus
(c)Pisum sativum
(d)Lens culinaris

Answer 1

Hint: It is an annual herb. Its common name is Yellow-Flowered Pea. It produces one to a few erect stems that often cling to surrounding vegetation by means of tendrils. In weak- stemmed plants, a leaf or a section of leaf gets modified into green thread-like structures called tendrils which help in climbing around the support. Whole leaf is modified into tendril in Lathyrus aphaca, the whole leaf is modified to become tendrils for support. While the stipules become enlarged and perform photosynthesis. It acclimates best to dry places, like sand, gravel, and chalk, and requires a well-drained habitat. It is an annual herb, which gives rise to yellow pea flowers just over a centimetre wide.

Complete answer:
Lathyrus odoratus is best known as sweet pea, where the upper leaflets are modified into tendrils. It is a flowering plant. It is an annual plant, which extends to a height of 1–2 metres, where suitable support is available.
Pisum sativum is known as pea, here the upper leaflets are modified into tendrils. The pea is most ordinarily the tiny spherical seed or the seed-pod of the pod fruit. Each pod contains several peas, which may be green or yellow.
Lens culinaris is known as lentil, which is an edible legume. It is an annual plant. It is known for its lens-shaped seeds. The upper leaves are turned into tendrils, whereas the lower leaves are mucronate (an abruptly projecting point).
So, the correct answer is ‘Lathyrus aphaca’.

Note: Lathyrus aphaca is a legume known as the yellow pea or yellow vetchling. Like other organs, leaves are often modified for functions aside from photosynthesis. Below are a couple of examples: Tendrils-of plants are leaves modified for support. In some plants the whole leaf may be a tendril; photosynthesis in these plants is delegated to leaf-like structures called stipules at the bottom of every leaf.