Question:

The inflorescence found in the family Euphorbiaceae with achylmaceous, unisexual flowers is

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In Euphorbiaceae, the cyathium is a reduced, cup-like inflorescence containing unisexual flowers, giving the appearance of a single flower to attract pollinators.
Updated On: Jun 19, 2026
  • Verticellaster
  • Cyathium
  • Solitary cyme
  • Hypanthodium
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understand inflorescence.
Inflorescence is the arrangement of flowers on a plant. Different plant families have characteristic types of inflorescence.

Step 2: Characteristics of Euphorbiaceae.

The family Euphorbiaceae (spurge family) shows:
- Flowers are unisexual.
- Flowers are achylmaceous (lack petals).
- Flowers are arranged in a special cup-shaped inflorescence called Cyathium.

Step 3: Features of Cyathium.

- A cyathium is a unique structure resembling a single flower but composed of many reduced unisexual flowers.
- It has a cup-like involucre enclosing staminate and pistillate flowers.
- This arrangement facilitates pollination by insects despite the flowers being reduced and unisexual.

Step 4: Comparison with other options.

- Verticellaster: Seen in Lamiaceae, arrangement of cymes in whorls.
- Solitary cyme: A single flower in a cyme arrangement; not specific to Euphorbiaceae.
- Hypanthodium: Characteristic of Ficus (Moraceae), enclosed inflorescence.

Step 5: Conclusion.

Thus, the characteristic inflorescence of Euphorbiaceae with achylmaceous, unisexual flowers is Cyathium.
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