Question

Which of the following family can be associated with the characteristics given below?
(i) Racemose inflorescence.
(ii) Vexillary aestivation in corolla.
(iii) Bracteate, complete, bisexual, zygomorphic flower.

• A. Solanaceae
• B. Papilionaceae
• C. Brassicaceae
• D. Liliaceae

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

The flowers of family Fabaceae show vexillary aestivation, which explains the Papilionaceous (butterfly-shaped) flower. It also shows the presence of diadelphous condition where the stamens are arranged in a (9) + 1 arrangement, meaning out of the 10 stamens, 9 are united in a bundle and one is free. Pisum sativum is an excellent example of this family showing both these characteristics precisely.