Question

How many among the following flowers possess bilateral and radial symmetry, respectively?
Pea, Canna, Datura, Cassia, Mustard, Gulmohur, Bean, Chilli

• A. 4, 3
• B. 3, 3
• C. 3, 4
• D. 4, 2

Answer 1

The correct option is A 4, 3

• When a flower can be divided into two equal halves only in one particular vertical plane, it is called a zygomorphic flower with bilateral symmetry e.g. Pea, Gulmohur, Bean, Cassia.

• When a flower can be divided into two equal halves in any radial plane passing through the centre, it is an actinomorphic flower with radial symmetry e.g. Mustard, Datura, Chilli.

• So, in the given list of plants, the examples which show bilateral symmetry are pea, Gulmohur, bean and Cassia.
• The plants that exhibit radial symmetry are mustard, Datura and chilli.

Plants with bilateral symmetry= 4
Plants with radial symmetry = 3

Canna is an asymmetric flower as it cannot be divided into two similar/equal halves by any vertical plane passing through the centre.