Question

The inflorescence of wheat is called

• A. Rachis
• B. Spike
• C. Awns
• D. Spadix

Hint:

Remember these common crop inflorescences:
- Wheat, Barley, Rye $\rightarrow$ Spike.
- Rice, Oats $\rightarrow$ Panicle.
- Maize $\rightarrow$ Tassel (male, panicle) and Ear/Cob (female, spadix).
- Sunflower $\rightarrow$ Capitulum (Head).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
An inflorescence is the specific arrangement of flowers on a plant stem.
Different plant families display characteristic inflorescence structures, which serve as key features for botanical identification.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the botanical terms listed in the options:
1. Rachis:
The rachis is the main central axis of an inflorescence or a compound leaf, not the name of the inflorescence itself.
Thus, Option (A) is incorrect.
2. Spike:
In botany, a spike is an unbranched, indeterminate inflorescence where sessile flowers (flowers without individual stalks or pedicels) are attached directly to the central rachis.
The inflorescence of wheat (*Triticum aestivum*) is a classic compound spike, commonly called the "ear" or "head."
It consists of a central zigzag rachis bearing multiple sessile spikelets directly on its nodes, with each spikelet containing several individual florets.
3. Awns:
Awns are bristle-like structures projecting from the glumes or lemmas of grass spikelets (common in bearded wheat varieties), not an inflorescence type.
Thus, Option (C) is incorrect.
4. Spadix:
This is a specialized spike inflorescence enclosed by a large, colorful bract called a spathe, characteristic of the Araceae family (such as maize cob, calla lily), not wheat.
Thus, Option (D) is incorrect.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The inflorescence of wheat is called a Spike.
This corresponds to Option (B).