Question

The inflorescence of mustard plant is called

• A. Ear
• B. Raceme
• C. Spike
• D. Spadix

Hint:

Members of the mustard family (Brassicaceae) are characterized by a racemose inflorescence, specifically a raceme, where individual pedicellate flowers open sequentially from bottom to top.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Inflorescence refers to the arrangement and distribution of flowers on the floral axis (peduncle) of a plant.
Inflorescences are broadly classified as racemose or cymose based on whether the main axis continues to grow or terminates in a flower.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us examine the inflorescence types in the options:
- Ear: Also known as a spike of spikelets, this is the characteristic inflorescence of cereal crops like wheat and barley.
- Raceme: This is a simple racemose inflorescence where the main elongated floral axis continues to grow indefinitely.
Flowers are borne laterally on pedicels of approximately equal length in an acropetal succession (oldest flowers at the base, youngest at the top).
Plants in the family Brassicaceae (crucifers, including mustard, cabbage, and radish) characteristically produce a raceme inflorescence (specifically, a corymbose raceme when young that elongates into a simple raceme).
- Spike: This is a racemose inflorescence similar to a raceme, but the flowers are sessile (lacking pedicels).
- Spadix: This is a modified spike with a fleshy axis enclosed by a large, showy bract called a spathe, typical of monocots like maize and arum.
Therefore, the inflorescence of the mustard plant is a raceme.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Hence, the correct option is (B).