Question

In Gramineae the perianth is represented by smaIl scaly lodicules which are generally

• A. Two
• B. Three
• C. Four
• D. Five

Answer 1

The correct option is A Two

Flowers of Poaceae are characteristically arranged in spikelets, each spikelet having one or more florets. The spikelets are further grouped into panicles or spikes. A spikelet consists of two or sometimes fewer bracts at the base, called as glumes, followed by one or more florets. A floret consists of the flower surrounded by two bracts, one external the lemma and one internal the palea. The flowers are usually hermaphroditic maize being an important exception and anemophilous or wind-pollinated. The perianth is reduced to two scales, called as lodicules, that expand and contract to spread the lemma and palea. These are generally interpreted to be modified sepals. The lodicules are the two diminutive bodies lying between the lemma and the ovary base in the grass floret which, by expanding rapidly at the time of anthesis, lever away the rigid lemma allowing anthers and stigmas to emerge. Expansion results from the swelling of a cushion of tissue at the base of each lodicule.
Therefore, the correct answer is option A.