Question

Study the given figures and identify the kind of phyllotaxy.

	(i)	(ii)	(iii)
(a)	Whorled	Opposite	Alternate
(b)	Alternate	Opposite	Whorled
(c)	Opposite	Alternate	Whorled
(d)	Opposite	Whorled	Alternate

• A. a
• B. b
• C. c
• D. d

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

In alternate (or spiral) phyllotaxy, only one leaf is borne on a node and the leaves of the adjacent nodes roughly lie towards the opposite sides (e.g., Hibiscus). In opposite phyllotaxy, two leaves are borne on the opposite sides of a single node, e.g., guava in whorled or verticillate phyllotaxy, three (e.g., Nerium) or more than three (e.g., Alstonia) leaves develop from a single node.