Which of the following possess more stamens in flower?
Pea
— Concept: This question tests your knowledge of floral morphology, specifically the number of stamens, which is a key…Concept: This question tests your knowledge of floral morphology, specifically the number of stamens, which is a key characteristic used in plant classification and identification, particularly for families like Fabaceae, Liliaceae, Brassicaceae, and Solanaceae.
Why (A) Pea is correct: Pea (Pisum sativum) belongs to the family Fabaceae (Leguminosae). Flowers in this family typically exhibit a diadelphous condition, meaning the stamens are united into two bundles. Specifically, they have 10 stamens, arranged as (9)+1, where nine stamens are fused and one is free. This is a higher number compared to the other options.
Why other options are wrong:
- (B) Onion: Onion (Allium cepa) belongs to the family Liliaceae. Its flowers typically have 6 stamens, arranged in two whorls of three.
- (C) Mustard: Mustard (Brassica campestris) belongs to the family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae). Its flowers are characterized by a tetradynamous condition, meaning they have 6 stamens, with two outer short stamens and four inner long stamens.
- (D) Potato: Potato (Solanum tuberosum) belongs to the family Solanaceae. Its flowers typically have 5 stamens, which are epipetalous (attached to the petals).
NEET Tip: Knowing the floral formula and key characteristics of common plant families (Fabaceae, Liliaceae, Brassicaceae, Solanaceae) is crucial for NEET. Pay attention to stamen number, fusion, and attachment.
Correct Answer: (A)
Pea