Question

Inflorescence of Sugarcane is known as ________________

• A. Arrow
• B. Anther
• C. Silk
• D. Flower

Hint:

Remember these unique crop inflorescence terms:
- Sugarcane = Arrow
- Maize (Male) = Tassel
- Maize (Female) = Cob/Silk
- Wheat/Rice = Ear/Spike/Panicle

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
In botany, the inflorescence is the specific arrangement of flowers on a plant stem.
Many crop plants have unique common names for their inflorescences, which are widely referred to in agronomic studies.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us identify the inflorescence names for the listed options:
- Arrow (A): The inflorescence of sugarcane (*Saccharum officinarum*) is an open, branched, plume-like panicle.
Because of its slender, pointed, and feather-like appearance, it is commonly called the "arrow."
The physiological process of the emergence of this inflorescence is termed "arrowing," which is a critical growth transition in sugarcane crops.
- Silk (C): This is the term for the long, thread-like styles that emerge from the female inflorescence (ear) of the maize plant.
- Anther (B): This is not an inflorescence; rather, it is the pollen-producing part of a flower's male reproductive organ (stamen).
- Flower (D): This is a generic term for any individual reproductive structure, not a specific inflorescence name.
Therefore, the inflorescence of sugarcane is known as the arrow.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The inflorescence of sugarcane is known as the arrow.