Question

Foliar stipules and modified terminal tendrilar leaflets are found in

• A. Dracaena
• B. Gloriosa
• C. Smilax
• D. Pisum

Hint:

Leaf modifications: \[ \boxed{ \begin{aligned} &\textit{Pisum} &&\rightarrow \text{Foliar stipules + terminal leaflet tendrils} &\textit{Smilax} &&\rightarrow \text{Stipular tendrils} &\textit{Gloriosa} &&\rightarrow \text{Leaf apex tendril} \end{aligned} } \]

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Recall the leaf modifications in Pisum. In Pisum (pea), - the stipules are large and foliaceous (foliar stipules), - the terminal leaflets are modified into tendrils for climbing. \[ \boxed{\text{Foliar stipules + terminal tendrillar leaflets } \rightarrow \textit{Pisum}} \]

Step 2: Eliminate other options. \[ \begin{aligned} \textit{Dracaena} &\rightarrow \text{No tendrillar leaflets} \textit{Gloriosa} &\rightarrow \text{Leaf apex modified into tendril} \textit{Smilax} &\rightarrow \text{Stipular tendrils} \end{aligned} \] Hence, only Pisum possesses both characters.

Step 3: Choose the correct option. Therefore, \[ \boxed{(D)} \] is the correct answer.