Question

Goethe (1889) defined flower as modified shoot meant for reproduction which is justified as

• A. Flower develop in the axis of a leaf
• B. Flowers are arranged in racemose manner like leaves
• C. Thalamus is elongated to bear nodes and internodes
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is C Thalamus is elongated to bear nodes and internodes

The different floral parts are calyx, corolla, androecium and gynoecium (from outside to inside). Goethe's definition of flower as modified shoot for reproduction can be explained as these floral parts show similarities to leaves in their development pattern, internal structure, arrangement and position. In general a shoot is defined by the presence of nodes, internodes, leaves and buds. The axial stem from where a flower originates is called as thalamus. The internodes of the thalamus are very small and therefore it appears that all the leaves arise from a single point. In pants like Capparis and Gynandropsis well developed nodes and elongated internodes can be observed. Also both the vegetative and floral buds arise from terminal or axillary position. There is also a strong resemblance in the phyllotaxy and arrangement of floral leaves on the thalamus which may be cyclic or spiral.

Thus, the correct answer is option C.