Question

While describing a plant, what does the term alternate refer to?

• A. Arrangement of veins in the lamina
• B. Arrangement of leaves on the stem
• C. Arrangement of calyx and the corolla in floral buds
• D. None of these

Answer 1

The correct option is B Arrangement of leaves on the stem

The term alternate is used to describe the arrangement of leaves on the stem.
The arrangement of leaves on the stem is called phyllotaxy.

There are three types of phyllotaxy.
In alternate phyllotaxy, a single leaf arises at each node in an alternate manner.
In the opposite phyllotaxy, two leaves arise at each node, opposite to each other.
In whorled phyllotaxy, more than two leaves arise at each node.


The arrangement of veins and veinlets in leaf lamina is called venation. Arrangement of calyx and corolla is called aestivation.