Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants

CHAPTER 5. MORPHOLOGY OF FLOWERING PLANTS

NOTES
Morphology is the study of external forms of organisms.
A flowering plant (Angiosperm) has 2 parts:
➢ Root system (underground part)
➢ Shoot system (portion above the ground).
THE ROOT

It is the underground part formed from radicle of embryo.

Root systems are 3 types:
➢ Tap root system: It consists of primary roots (tap root) and its branches (lateral roots such as secondary roots,
tertiary roots). Seen in dicots. Primary root is elongated from radicle. E.g. Mustard plant.
➢ Fibrous root system: In monocots, primary root is short lived and is replaced by many roots. They originate from
the base of stem to form fibrous root system. E.g. Wheat.
➢ Adventitious root system: Roots that arise from parts other than radicle. E.g. Grass, Monstera and banyan tree.
Regions of the Root

➢ Root cap: It is the covering at the apex of root. It protects the tender apex of the root.
➢ Region of meristematic activity: Seen above the root cap. Here, the cells are very small, thin-walled and with
dense protoplasm. They divide repeatedly.
➢ Region of elongation: Region just above the meristematic region. Here, cells undergo rapid elongation and
enlargement. Helps in growth of the root in length.
➢ Region of maturation: It is proximal to elongation zone. Here, the cells differentiate and mature.
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Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants

➢ Root hairs: Very fine, delicate, thread-like structures formed from epidermal cells in region behind region of
elongation. They absorb water and minerals from the soil.
Modifications of Root
In some plants, roots are modified to perform functions other than absorption and conduction. E.g.
➢ Swollen roots for food storage: E.g. Tap roots of carrot, turnips and adventitious roots of sweet potato.
➢ Prop roots: Hanging structures that support banyan tree.
➢ Stilt roots: The supporting roots coming out of the lower nodes of the stem. E.g. maize & sugarcane.
➢ Pneumatophores: The roots that come out of the ground and grow vertically upwards to get oxygen for respiration.
E.g. Rhizophora growing in swampy areas.
Functions of root
➢ Absorption of water and minerals from the soil.
➢ Provide a proper anchorage to the plant parts.
➢ Storage of reserve food material.
➢ Synthesis of plant growth regulators.
THE STEM

It is the ascending part of the axis that develops from the plumule of the embryo of a germinating seed. It bears
branches, leaves, flowers, fruits, buds (terminal or axillary), nodes and internodes.
Nodes are the regions of the stem where leaves are born. Internodes are the portions between two nodes. Young
stem is generally green and later often become woody and dark brown.
Functions of stem:
➢ Spreading out branches bearing leaves, flowers and fruits.
➢ It conducts water, minerals and photosynthates.
➢ Food storage, support, protection & vegetative propagation.
Modifications of Stem
➢ For food storage: E.g. underground stems of potato, ginger, turmeric, zaminkand, Colocasia etc. They also act
as organs of perennation to tide over conditions unfavourable for growth.
➢ Stem tendrils: Slender and spirally coiled structures formed from axillary buds. They help plants to climb. E.g.
Gourds (cucumber, pumpkins, watermelon) & grapevines.
➢ Thorns: Woody, straight and pointed structures developed from axillary buds. They protect plants from browsing
animals. E.g. Citrus, Bougainvillea.
➢ Phylloclade: It is a green, flattened or fleshy cylindrical stem containing chlorophyll for photosynthesis. Found
in some plants of arid regions. E.g. Opuntia (flattened stem), Euphorbia (cylindrical stem).
➢ Stolon: Slender lateral branch that arises from the base of the main axis and after growing aerially for some time
arch downwards to touch the ground. E.g. mint & jasmine.

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Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants

➢ Offset: It is a lateral branch with short internodes and each node bearing a rosette of leaves and a tuft of roots.
E.g. aquatic plants like Pistia and Eichhornia.
➢ Sucker: The lateral branches that originate from the basal underground part of the main stem. It grows
horizontally beneath the soil and come out obliquely upward giving rise to leafy shoots. E.g. Banana, Pineapple
& Chrysanthemum.
➢ Underground stems of grass, strawberry etc. spread to new niches. When older parts die, new plants are formed.
THE LEAF

It is a lateral, flattened structure borne on the stem. It develops at the node and bears a bud in its axil. The axillary
bud later develops into a branch. Leaves originate from shoot apical meristems and are arranged in an acropetal
order. They are important vegetative organs for photosynthesis.
A typical leaf has 3 main parts:
➢ Leaf base: With this, the leaf is attached to stem. It may bear two lateral small leaf-like structures called stipules.
In monocots, the leaf base expands into a sheath covering the stem partially or wholly. In some leguminous plants,
the leaf base may be swollen. It is called pulvinus.
➢ Petiole: It helps to hold the leaf blade to light. Long thin flexible petioles allow leaf blades to flutter in wind,
thereby cooling leaf and bringing fresh air to leaf surface.
➢ Lamina (leaf blade): The green expanded part with veins & veinlets. The middle prominent vein is called midrib.
Veins provide rigidity to lamina and act as channels of transport for water, minerals & food materials.
Venation
It is the arrangement of veins and veinlets in leaf lamina.
It is 2 types:
➢ Reticulate venation: Here, the veinlets form a network. It is seen in dicotyledons.
➢ Parallel venation: Here, the veins run parallel to each other within a lamina. It is seen in monocotyledons.
Types of Leaves
1. Simple leaf: Here, leaf lamina is entire or when incised, the incisions do not touch the midrib.
2. Compound leaf: Here, the incisions of the lamina reach up to the midrib breaking it into several leaflets.
A bud is seen in the axil of petiole in simple & compound leaves, but not in the axil of leaflets of the compound
leaf.
The compound leaves are 2 types.
➢ Pinnately compound leaf: In this, many leaflets are present on a common axis, the rachis, which represents the
midrib of the leaf. E.g. neem.
➢ Palmately compound leaf: In this, leaflets are attached at a common point (at the tip of petiole). E.g. silk cotton.

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Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants

Phyllotaxy

It is the pattern of arrangement of leaves on the stem or branch. It is 3 types:

➢ Alternate: In this, a single leaf arises at each node in alternate manner. E.g. China rose, mustard & sun flower.
➢ Opposite: In this, a pair of leaves arise at each node and lie opposite to each other. E.g. Calotropis and guava.
➢ Whorled: In this, more than two leaves arise at a node and form a whorl. E.g. Alstonia.
Modifications of Leaves
➢ Leaves are modified to perform functions other than photosynthesis. E.g.
• Tendrils: For climbing. E.g. peas.
• Spines: For defense. E.g. cacti.
• Fleshy leaves: To store food. E.g. onion and garlic.
➢ In plants such as Australian acacia, the leaves are small and short-lived. The petioles in these plants expand,
become green and synthesise food.
➢ Leaves of some insectivorous plants (e.g. pitcher plant, Venus-fly trap) are also modified leaves.
THE FLOWER AND THE INFLORESCENCE
➢ A flower is a modified shoot wherein the shoot apical meristem changes to floral meristem.
➢ Internodes do not elongate and the axis gets condensed.
➢ The apex produces different kinds of floral appendages laterally at successive nodes instead of leaves.
➢ When a shoot tip transforms into a flower, it is solitary.
➢ The arrangement of cluster of flowers on the floral axis is called inflorescence.
➢ Based on whether the apex gets converted into a flower or continues to grow, inflorescences are 2 types:
Racemose and Cymose.

• Racemose: In this, the main axis continues to grow. Flowers are borne laterally in an acropetal succession.
• Cymose: In this, main axis terminates in a flower, hence is limited in growth. Flowers are borne in a basipetal
order.
THE FLOWER
➢ It is the reproductive unit in the angiosperms.
➢ It is meant for sexual reproduction.
➢ A flower has a stalk (pedicel). Its swollen end is called thalamus (receptacle).

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Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants

➢ Reduced leaf found at the base of the pedicel is called bracts. Flowers with bracts are called bracteate and those
without bracts, ebracteate.
➢ A typical flower has 4 kinds of whorls arranged on thalamus- calyx, corolla, androecium & gynoecium.
➢ Calyx & corolla are accessory organs, while androecium and gynoecium are reproductive organs.
➢ In flowers like lily, the calyx and corolla are not distinct. It is termed as perianth.
➢ When a flower has both androecium and gynoecium, it is bisexual. A flower having either only androecium or
only gynoecium is unisexual.
Based on symmetry, flowers are 3 types:
➢ Actinomorphic (radial symmetry): Here, a flower can be divided into 2 equal radial halves in any radial
plane passing through the centre. E.g. mustard, datura, chilli.
➢ Zygomorphic (bilateral symmetry): Here, a flower can be divided into two similar halves only in a particular
vertical plane. E.g. pea, gulmohur, bean, Cassia.
➢ Asymmetric (irregular): Here, a flower cannot be divided into two similar halves by any vertical plane
passing through the centre. E.g. canna.
Based on number of floral appendages, flowers are classified as follows:
➢ Trimerous: Floral appendages are multiple of 3.
➢ Tetramerous: Floral appendages are multiple of 4.
➢ Pentamerous: Floral appendages are multiple of 5.
Based on the position of calyx, corolla and androecium in respect of the ovary on thalamus, the flowers are 3 types:

➢ Hypogynous: Here, gynoecium occupies the highest position while other parts are situated below it. The ovary
is superior. E.g. mustard, China rose & brinjal.
➢ Perigynous: Here, gynoecium is situated in the centre and other parts are located on the rim of the thalamus at
the same level. Ovary is half inferior. E.g. plum, rose, peach.
➢ Epigynous: Here, the margin of thalamus grows upward enclosing the ovary completely and getting fused with
it. Other parts arise above the ovary. The ovary is inferior. E.g. Guava, cucumber, ray florets of sunflower.
Parts of a Flower

a) Calyx
➢ It is the outermost whorl of flower. It is made of sepals.
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Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants

➢ Generally, sepals are green, leaf like and protect the flower in the bud stage.
➢ The calyx may be gamosepalous (sepals united) or polysepalous (sepals free).
b) Corolla
➢ It is the whorl inner to calyx. It is composed of petals.
➢ Petals have bright colour to attract insects for pollination.
➢ Corolla may be gamopetalous (petals united) or polypetalous (petals free).
➢ Shape and colour of corolla vary in plants. Corolla may be tubular, bell-shaped, funnel-shaped or wheel-shaped.
Aestivation: It is the mode of arrangement of sepals and petals in floral bud. It is many types:
➢ Valvate: Sepals or petals in a whorl just touch one another at the margin, without overlapping.
E.g. Calotropis.
➢ Twisted: One margin of the appendage overlaps that of the next one and so on. E.g. China rose, lady’s finger
& cotton.
➢ Imbricate: Margins of sepals or petals overlap one another but not in any particular direction. E.g. Cassia &
gulmohur.
➢ Vexillary (papilionaceous): In this, there are five petals; the largest (standard) overlaps the two lateral petals
(wings) which in turn overlap the two smallest anterior petals (keel). E.g. pea & bean.

c) Androecium
➢ The male reproductive part composed of stamens.
➢ Each stamen represents the male reproductive organ. It consists of a stalk (filament) and an anther.
➢ Each anther is usually bilobed.
➢ Each lobe has 2 chambers called pollen-sacs.
➢ In pollen-sacs, pollen grains are produced.
➢ A sterile stamen is called staminode.
➢ When stamens are attached to petals, they are epipetalous. E.g. brinjal. When stamens are attached to perianth
they are epiphyllous. E.g. lily.
➢ If the stamens are free, it is called polyandrous.
➢ If they are united, it is called synandrous. It is many types:
• Monadelphous: Stamens are united into one bunch or one bundle. E.g. China rose.
• Diadelphous: Stamens are united into two bundles. E.g. pea.
• Polyadelphous: Stamens are united into more than two bundles. E.g. citrus.
➢ There may be a variation in the length of filaments within a flower. E.g. Salvia and mustard.
d) Gynoecium (Pistil)
The female reproductive part made up of one or more carpels.
A carpel has 3 parts:
• Stigma: It is the receptive surface for pollen grains. It is usually at the tip of the style.
• Style: An elongated tube that connects ovary to stigma.
• Ovary: It is the enlarged basal part on which the style lies. Each ovary bears one or more ovules attached
to a flattened, cushion-like placenta.
Polycarpellary pistils (pistil with many carpels) are 2 types:
• o Apocarpous: Carpels are free. E.g. lotus and rose.
• o Syncarpous: Carpels are fused. E.g. mustard and tomato.
Placentation: It is the arrangement of ovules on the placenta within the ovary. It is many types:
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Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants

➢ Marginal: Here, the placenta forms a ridge along the ventral suture of the ovary and the ovules are borne on this
ridge forming two rows. E.g. pea.
➢ Axile: Here, the placenta is axial and the ovules are attached to it in a multilocular ovary. E.g. China rose, tomato
and lemon.
➢ Parietal: Here, the ovules develop on the inner wall of the ovary or on peripheral part. Ovary is one-chambered
but it becomes two-chambered due to the formation of the false septum. E.g. mustard and Argemone.
➢ Basal: Here, placenta develops at the base of ovary and a single ovule is attached to it. E.g. sunflower, marigold.
➢ Free central: Here, ovules are borne on central axis and septa are absent. E.g. Dianthus and Primrose.

After fertilisation, the ovules develop into seeds and the ovary matures into a fruit.
THE FRUIT
➢ It is a ripened ovary developed after fertilisation.
➢ It is a characteristic feature of the flowering plants.
➢ A fruit formed without fertilisation of the ovary is called parthenocarpic fruit.
➢ In mango & coconut, fruit is called a drupe. They are one seeded and develop from monocarpellary superior
ovaries.
➢ A fruit consists of
• Pericarp (fruit wall): It may be dry or fleshy. Thick and fleshy pericarp is differentiated into
outer epicarp, middle mesocarp and inner endocarp.
• Seeds
➢ In mango, the pericarp is well differentiated into thin epicarp, fleshy edible mesocarp and stony hard endocarp.
➢ In coconut, the mesocarp is fibrous.

THE SEED
➢ It is the mature ovule developed after fertilisation.
➢ A seed is made up of a seed coat and an embryo.
➢ Embryo is made up of a radicle, an embryonal axis and one (e.g. wheat, maize) or 2 cotyledons (e.g. gram &
pea).
Structure of a Dicotyledonous Seed
➢ The outermost covering of a seed is the seed coat.
➢ Seed coat has 2 layers: outer testa and inner tegmen.
➢ On the seed coat, there is a scar called hilum through which the developing seeds are attached to the fruit.
➢ Above the hilum is a small pore called the micropyle.

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Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants

➢ Within the seed coat is the embryo, consisting of an embryonal axis and two cotyledons.
➢ The cotyledons are often fleshy and full of reserve food materials. At the two ends of the embryonal axis,
the radicle and plumule are present.
➢ In some seeds such as castor, the endosperm is formed due to double fertilisation. It is a food storing tissue.
➢ In plants such as bean, gram and pea, the seeds are non-endospermous (endosperm is not seen in mature seeds).
Structure of Monocotyledonous Seed

➢ Generally, monocot seeds are endospermic but some are non-endospermic (e.g. orchids).
➢ In cereals such as maize, the seed coat is membranous and generally fused with the fruit wall.
➢ The endosperm is bulky and stores food.
➢ The outer covering of endosperm separates the embryo by a protein layer called aleurone layer.
➢ The embryo is small and situated in a groove at one end of the endosperm. It consists of one large and shield
shaped cotyledon known as scutellum and a short axis with a plumule and a radicle.
➢ The plumule is protected in a sheath called coleoptile and radicle is protected in a sheath called coleorhiza.
SEMI-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF A TYPICAL FLOWERING PLANT
➢ The plant is described beginning with its habit, vegetative characters and then floral characters.
➢ Then a floral diagram and a floral formula are presented.
➢ Floral formula is represented by some symbols. They are

➢ Fusion is indicated by enclosing the figure within bracket and adhesion by a line drawn above the symbols of the
floral parts.
➢ Floral formula also shows cohesion and adhesion within parts of whorls and in between whorls.
➢ A floral diagram gives information about the number of parts of a flower, their arrangement and relation.

Floral diagram of mustard plant (Family: Brassicaceae)

Floral formula: ⊕⚥K2+2 C4 A2+4 G(2)
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Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants

SOME IMPORTANT FAMILIES

1. Fabaceae
This family was earlier called Papilonoideae, a subfamily of family Leguminosae. It is distributed all over the
world.
Vegetative Characters:
➢ Trees, shrubs, herbs; root with root nodules.
➢ Stem: Erect or climber.
➢ Leaves: Alternate, pinnately compound or simple; leaf base, pulvinate; stipulate; venation reticulate.
Floral characters:
➢ Inflorescence: Racemose.
➢ Flower: Bisexual, zygomorphic.
➢ Calyx: Sepals five, gamosepalous; valvate/imbricate aestivation.
➢ Corolla: Petals five, polypetalous, papilionaceous, consisting of a posterior standard, two lateral wings, two
anterior ones forming a keel (enclosing stamens and pistil), vexillary aestivation.
➢ Androecium: Ten, diadelphous, anther dithecous.
➢ Gynoecium: Ovary superior, mono carpellary, unilocular with many ovules, style single.
➢ Fruit: Legume; seed: one to many, non-endospermic.
➢ Floral Formula: %⚥K(5) C1+2+(2) A(9)+1 G1

Economic importance:
➢ Pulses: E.g. gram, arhar, sem, moong, soyabean.
➢ Edible oil: E.g. soyabean, groundnut.
➢ Dye: E.g. Indigofera.
➢ Fibres: E.g. sun hemp.
➢ Fodder: E.g. Sesbania, Trifolium.
➢ Ornamentals: E.g. lupin, sweet pea.
➢ Medicine: E.g. muliathi.
2. Solanaceae (Potato family)
It is a large family. It is widely distributed in tropics, subtropics and even temperate zones.
Vegetative Characters:
➢ Plants mostly herbs, shrubs and small trees.
➢ Stem: Herbaceous rarely woody, aerial; erect, cylindrical, branched, solid or hollow, hairy or glabrous,
underground stem in potato (Solanum tuberosum).
➢ Leaves: Alternate, simple, rarely pinnately compound, exstipulate; venation reticulate.
Floral Characters:
➢ Inflorescence: Solitary, axillary or cymose as in Solanum.
➢ Flower: Bisexual, actinomorphic.
➢ Calyx: Sepals five, united, persistent, valvate aestivation.
➢ Corolla: Petals five, united; valvate aestivation.
➢ Androecium: Stamens five, epipetalous.
➢ Gynoecium: Bicarpellary obligately placed, syncarpous; ovary superior, bilocular, placenta swollen with many
ovules, axile.
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Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants

➢ Fruits: Berry or capsule.

➢ Seeds: Many, endospermous.

➢ Floral Formula:

Economic Importance:
➢ Food: E.g. tomato, brinjal, potato.
➢ Spice: E.g. chilli.
➢ Medicine: E.g. belladonna, ashwagandha.
➢ Fumigatory: E.g. tobacco.
➢ Ornamentals: E.g. petunia.
3. Lilaceae (Lily family)
A characteristic representative of monocotyledonous plants. It is distributed worldwide.
Vegetative characters:
➢ Perennial herbs with underground bulbs/corms/ rhizomes.
➢ Leaves mostly basal, alternate, linear, exstipulate with parallel venation.
Floral characters:
➢ Inflorescence: Solitary / cymose; often umbellate clusters.
➢ Flower: Bisexual; actinomorphic.
➢ Perianth tepal six (3+3), often united into tube; valvate aestivation.
➢ Androecium: Stamen six, (3+3).
➢ Gynoecium: Tricarpellary, syncarpous, ovary superior, trilocular with many ovules; axile placentation.
➢ Fruit: Capsule, rarely berry.
➢ Seed: Endospermous.
➢ Floral Formula:

Economic Importance:
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Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants

➢ Ornamentals: E.g. tulip, Gloriosa.

➢ Medicine: E.g. Aloe.
➢ Vegetables: E.g. Asparagus.
➢ Colchicines: E.g. Colchicum autumnale.
NCERT SOLUTIONS
Question 1: What is meant by modification of root? What type of modification of root is found in the
(a) Banyan tree, (b) Turnip, (c) Mangrove trees
ANSWER: Primarily, there are two types of root systems found in plants, namely the tap root system and fibrous
root system. The main function of the roots is to absorb water and minerals from the soil. However, roots are also
modified to perform various other functions. The roots of some plants act as storage sites for food, some provide
support to massive plant structures, while others absorb oxygen from the atmosphere.
Roots and its modifications in various plants:
(a) Banyan tree: The banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) has massive pillar-like adventitious roots arising from the
aerial part of the stem. These roots grow towards the ground and provide support to the tree. Such roots are called
prop roots.
(b) Turnip: The roots of turnip (Brassica rape) help in the storage of food. Similar food-storing roots are found in
radishes, carrots, and sweet potatoes.
(c) Mangrove tree: The roots of mangrove plants grow vertically upwards from the soil for the absorption of oxygen
from the atmosphere as the soil is poorly aerated. These types of roots are called pneumatophores.
Question 2: Justify the following statements on the basis of external features
(i) Underground parts of a plant are not always roots
(ii) Flower is a modified shoot
ANSWER: (i) Various parts of plants are modified into underground structures to perform various functions such
as stems, leaves, and even fruits.
The stems in ginger and banana are underground and swollen due to storage of food. They are called rhizomes.
Similarly, corm is an underground stem in Colocasia and Zamin-khand. The tips of the underground stem in potato
become swollen due to the accumulation of food and forms tuber. Tubers bear eyes, which are subtended by a leaf
scar. Basal leaves in onions become fleshy because of the accumulation of food. In peanuts, the flower after
fertilization gets pushed inside the soil by growing a flower stalk. The formation of fruits and seeds takes place
inside the soil.
(ii) During the flowering season, the apical meristem gives rise to the floral meristem. The axis of the stem gets
condensed, while the internodes lie near each other. Instead of leaves, various floral appendages arise from the node.
Therefore, it can be said that the flower is a modified shoot.
Question 3: How is pinnately compound leaf different from palmately compound leaf?
ANSWER:
Pinnately compound leaf Palmately compound leaf
The leaflets are attached at a common point on the
The leaflets are attached to the common axis, called rachis.
leaf stalk.
Examples include neem and Cassia fistula( also called golden Examples include silk cotton (Bombax )
shower plant) and Cannabis.
Question 4: Explain with suitable examples the different types of phyllotaxy?
ANSWER: Phyllotaxy refers to the pattern or arrangement of leaves on the stem or branch of a plant. It is of three
types, alternate, opposite, and whorled phyllotaxy.
In alternate phyllotaxy, a single leaf arises from the node of a branch. This type of phyllotaxy is observed in the
sunflower, mustard, and peepal. Plants with opposite phyllotaxy have two leaves arising from the node in opposite
directions. It is found in guava and jamun plants. Plants with whorled phyllotaxy have three or more leaves arising
from the node. It is found in Alstonia.
Question 5: Define the following terms:
(a) Aestivation
(b) Placentation
(c) Actinomorphic
(d) Zygomorphic
(e) Superior ovary
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Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants

(f) Perigynous flower

(g) Epipetalous Stamen
ANSWER: (a) Aestivation
The term ‘aestivation’ refers to the mode in which sepals or petals are arranged in a floral bud with respect to other
floral members. There are four types of aestivation in plants i.e., valvate, twisted, imbricate, and vexillary.
(b) Placentation
The term ‘placentation’ refers to the arrangement of ovules within the ovary of a flower. It is primarily of five types,
namely marginal, basal, parietal, axile, and free central.
(c) Actinomorphic
Actinomorphic flowers can be divided into two radial halves by any radial plane passing through its centre. Examples
of these flowers include chilly and mustard.
(d)Zygomorphic
Zygomorphic flowers are those flowers which can be divided into two similar halves by a single vertical plane.
Examples of these flowers include pea and beans.
(e) Superior ovary
Superior ovary flowers are those flowers in which the gynoecium is present at the highest position, while other floral
parts are arranged below it. A flower with this arrangement is described as hypogynous. Examples include brinjal
and mustard.
(f) Perigynous flower
In perigynous flowers, the gynoecium is present in the centre and the rest of the floral parts are arranged at the rim
of the thalamus at the same level. Examples include plum and rose.
(g) Epipetalous Stamen
Epipetalous stamens are stamens attached to the petals. They are found in brinjal.
Question 6: Differentiate between
(a) Racemose and cymose inflorescence
(b) Fibrous roots and adventitious roots
(c) Apocarpous and syncarpous ovary
ANSWER:
Racemose inflorescence Cymose inflorescence
1) Younger flowers are present at the tip while older 1) Younger flowers are present at the base of the
flowers are arranged at the base of this inflorescence. Such inflorescence, while older flowers are present at the top. Such
an arrangement is called acropetal succession. an arrangement is called basipetal succession.
2) The main axis in racemose inflorescence continues to 2) The main axis in cymose inflorescence has limited growth,
grow and produce flowers laterally. which later terminates into a flower.

Fibrous root Adventitious root

1) In monocots, the primary root which develops from the 1) These roots arise from any part of the plant other than the
radicle of the seed is short-lived and is replaced by a large radicle of seeds.
number of roots arising from the base of the stem. 2) It is found in banyan, Monstera, and other plants.
2) It is found in wheat and other cereals.

Apocarpous ovary Syncarpous ovary

1) The flowers with apocarpus ovary have more 1) The flowers with syncarpous ovary have more
than one carpel. These carpels are free. than one carpel. However, these carpels are fused.
2) It is found in lotus and rose flowers. 2) It is found in the flowers of tomato and mustard.
Question 7: Draw the labelled diagram of the following:
(i) Gram seed
(ii) V.S. of maize seed
ANSWER:

Shayar Singh, PGT – Biology. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone

Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants

(i) (ii)
Question 8: Describe modifications of stem with suitable examples
ANSWER: Stems of various plants have undergone modifications to perform different functions.
Underground stems or storage stems:
Examples: Rhizomes, Corms, tubers
In ginger and banana, the underground stem is called a rhizome. The underground stem in Colocasia (arvi) is known
as corm. Rhizomes and corms are underground stems, modified for the storage of food. Also, these stems help in
vegetative reproduction of these plants. The tips of the underground stem in potato plants become swollen due to
the accumulation of food. The potato is a tuber that helps in the storage of food and bears eyes on it. Subtended by
a leaf scar, these eyes bear buds that give rise to new plants.
Supportive stems
Example: tendril
The stem in some weak plants bear thin, slender, and spirally-coiled structures called tendrils that help the plant get
attached to nearby structures for support. Tendrils are found in cucumbers, melons, and other members of the
family Cucurbitaceae.
Protective stems
Example: Thorns
The stem in bougainvillea and citrus plants (like lemon and orange) bear sharp, pointed structures called thorns,
which provide protection to the plant from herbivores.
Photosynthetic stems
Example: Opuntia
The stem in the Opuntia is green. It carries out the process of photosynthesis in the absence of leaves.
Others stem modifications
In some plants, underground stems such as grasses spread in the soil and help in perenation. These stems are called
runners.
The short lateral stem called the offset in some aquatic plants (such as Eichhornia) bears leaves and tufts of roots at
the node and gives rise to new plants.
Question 9: Take one flower each of families Fabaceae and Solanaceae and write its semi-technical
description. Also draw their floral diagrams after studying them.
ANSWER: (1) Family Fabaceae/Papilionaceae (pea plant)
Fabaceae/Papilionaceae is a sub-family of the Leguminoseae family.
Vegetative features:
Habit: Pinnately compound, alternately arranged with leaf tendrils with the pulvinus present at the leaf base along
folacious stipules.
Root: Tap root system with root nodules.
Floral features:
Inflorescence: Racemose, generally axial than terminal
Flower: Zygomorphic and bisexual flowers are found
Calyx: It contains five sepals which are gamosepalous while aestivation is imbricate.
Corolla: It contains five petals (polypetalous) with vexillary aestivation.
Androecium: It consists of ten anthers that are diadelphous with dithecous anthers.
Gynoecium: Monocarpellary superior ovary which is unilocular with marginal placentation.
Fruit: Legume pod with non-endospermic seeds

Floral formula:
Shayar Singh, PGT – Biology. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone
Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants

Economic importance: Peas are used as vegetables for making various culinary preparations.

(2) Flowers of Solanum nigrum

Family Solanaceae
Vegetative features:
Habit: Erect, herbaceous plant
Leaves: Simple, exstipulate leaves with reticulate venation
Stem: Erect stem with numerous branches.
Floral features:
Inflorescence: Solitary and axillary
Flowers: Actinomorphic, bisexual flowers
Calyx: Calyx is composed of five sepals that are united and persistent. Aestivation is valvate.
Corolla: Corolla consists of five united petals with valvate aestivation.
Androecium: It consists of five epipetalous stamens.
Gynoecium: It consists of bicarpellary syncarpous superior ovary with axile placentation.
Fruits: Berry
Seeds: Numerous, endospermous

Floral formula:
Economic importance: Used for medicinal purposes.

Question 10: Describe the various types of placentations found in flowering plants.
ANSWER: Placentation refers to the arrangement of ovules inside the ovary. It is of five basic types.
(A) Marginal placentation:
The ovary in which the placenta forms a ridge along the ventral suture of the ovary and the ovules develop on two
separate rows is known to have marginal placentation. This type of placentation is found in
peas.

(B) Parietal placentation

When the ovules develop on the inner walls of the ovary, the ovary is said to have parietal placentation.

C) Axile placentation

Shayar Singh, PGT – Biology. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone

Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants

In axile placentation, the placenta is axial and ovules are attached to it. Examples include China rose, lemon, and
tomato.

(D) Basal placentation

The ovary in which the placenta develops from its base and a single ovule is found attached to the
base is said to have basal placentation. It is found in marigold and sunflower.

(E) Free central placentation

In free central placentation, the ovules develop on the central axis while the septa are absent. This type of
placentation is found in Dianthus and primrose.

Question 11:What is a flower? Describe the parts of a typical angiosperm flower?

ANSWER: A flower can be defined as the reproductive unit of any flowering plant (angiosperms). Flowers carry
out sexual reproduction in angiosperms. A typical flower is a modified stem with a condensed axis. A flower has
four different parts i.e., the calyx, corolla, androecium, and gynoecium. Androecium and gynoecium represent the
male and female reproductive organs of a flower (respectively). Bisexual flowers are those which contain both
androecium and gynoecium, while unisexual flowers contain either gynoecium or androecium. The corolla and the
calyx are generally distinct, but may sometimes be fused (called perianth). A flower that contains all four floral parts
is called a complete flower.
Parts of flowers
(A) The calyx forms the outermost whorl of a flower, which contains sepals. They are green, leaf–like structures
that cover and protect the flowers during the bud stage. When the sepals of a flower are free, they are called
polysepalous, while fused sepals of a flower are called gamosepalous.
(B) The corolla of a flower is a layer that lies inside the calyx. It contains beautifully coloured petals, which help in
attracting insects for pollination. When the petals are free, they are called polypetalous, while fused petals are called
gamopetalous.
(C) The androecium or the stamen is the male reproductive part of a flower. It consists of two parts, the filament
and the bilobed anther. The bilobed anther is the site for meiosis and the generation of pollen grains.
(D) Gynoecium represents the female reproductive part of a flower. It consists of an ovary. The ovary is connected
by a long tube (called style) to the stigma. The ovary bears numerous ovules attached to the placenta.

Question 12: How do the various leaf modifications help plants?

ANSWER: The main function of the leaves is to carry out the process of photosynthesis. However, in a few plants,
leaves are modified to perform different functions.
(a) Tendrils: The leaves of a pea plant are modified into tendrils that help the plant in climbing.
(b) Spines: The leaves in cactus are modified into sharp spines that act as an organ of defense.
(c) Phyllode: The leaves of some Australian acacia are short-lived and soon replaced by flattened, green structures
called phyllodes that arise from the petiole of the leaves. The petioles in these plants synthesize food.

Shayar Singh, PGT – Biology. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone

Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants

(d) Pitcher: The leaves of the pitcher plant are modified into pitcher-like structures, which contain digestive juices
and help in trapping and digesting insects.

Question 13: Define the term inflorescence. Explain the basis for the different types of inflorescence in
flowering plants.
ANSWER: Inflorescence is the manner in which the flowers are arranged on the flowering axis. During the
flowering season, the vegetative apex of the stem gets converted into a floral meristem. Based on whether the floral
axis continues to grow or end in a flower, inflorescence is classified into racemose and cymose. In racemose
inflorescence, the floral axis continues to grow and produces flowers laterally. On the other hand, in cymose
inflorescence, the main axis terminates into a flower. Hence, it is limited in growth.

Question 14: Write the floral formula of an actinomorphic bisexual, hypogynous flower with five united
sepals, five free petals. Five free stamens and two united carpals with superior ovary and axile placentation.
ANSWER: The floral formula of the described flower is represented as:

Actinomorphic flowers are represented by the symbol .

A bisexual flower is indicated by .

The calyx contains five united sepals which can be represented as K(5).
The corolla consists of five free petals and it represented as C5.
The androecium consists of five free stamens and is represented by A5.
The gynoecium consists of a superior ovary with two united carpels and axile placentations, which can be
represented as

Question 15: Describe the arrangement of floral members in relation to their insertion on thalamus?
ANSWER: Based on the position of the calyx, corolla, and androecium (with respect to the ovary on the thalamus),
the flowers are described as hypognous, perigynous, and epigynous.
In hypogynous flowers, the ovary occupies the highest position on the thalamus while other floral parts are situated
below it. In such flowers, the ovary is superior e.g., China rose, mustard etc.
In perigynous flowers, the ovary is situated at the centre and other floral parts are arranged on the rim of the thalamus.
The ovary here is said to be half inferior e.g., plum, rose, peach. In epigynous flowers, the thalamus grows around
the ovary fusing with its wall. The other floral parts are present above the ovary. Hence, the ovary is said to be
inferior e.g., flowers of guava and cucumber.

Shayar Singh, PGT – Biology. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone