Question

Parkinsonia and Australian Acacia are example of

• A. Phylloclade
• B. Winged fruit
• C. Parachute mechanism
• D. Phyllode

Answer 1

The correct option is D Phyllode

Australian Acacia lacks bipinnate lamina. The flattened rachis and petiole which is transformed into a sickle-shaped to carry out photosynthesis is termed as phyllode which also serves to reduce water loss by transpiration as it has fewer stomata. Parkinsonia has reduced rachis with elongated, flattened and green secondary raches that serve as phyllode. Phylloclade is the stem modification, not a modified petiole, that functions like a leaf. Samara or winged fruit is a simple, dry indehiscent fruit with wings derived from pericarp to help in dispersal, e.g., Acer, Dipterocarpus. Certain appendages namely papus (modified persistent calyx), persistent hairy style of achenes, balloons (inflated persistent calyx that allow the fruit bearing seed to float in the air) and hairy outgrowth assist the seed dispersal by serving as a parachute.
Thus, the correct answer is option D.