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Morphology of Flowering Plants

Inflorescence Types Practice Questions

20 free Inflorescence Types practice questions for the NCERT Biology. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.

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Question 1 of 20 Medium

The arrangement of flowers on the floral axis is termed as:

  1. A Phyllotaxy
  2. B Venation
  3. C Inflorescence
  4. D Aestivation

Correct answer: Inflorescence

Inflorescence refers specifically to how flowers are distributed on the peduncle or floral axis. This arrangement is a key taxonomic feature in plant identification.

Question 2 of 20 Medium

In which type of inflorescence does the main axis continue to grow and the flowers are borne laterally in an acropetal succession?

  1. A Cymose
  2. B Solitary
  3. C Verticillaster
  4. D Racemose

Correct answer: Racemose

In racemose inflorescence, the shoot axis does not terminate in a flower but continues to elongate. New flowers are added at the apex, following an acropetal order.

Question 3 of 20 Medium

In a cymose inflorescence, the main axis terminates in a flower, and the flowers are borne in a/an _______ order.

  1. A Acropetal
  2. B Centripetal
  3. C Centrifugal
  4. D Basipetal

Correct answer: Basipetal

In cymose types, the growth of the main axis is limited because it ends in a flower. Subsequent flowers develop below the terminal one, which is characteristic of basipetal succession.

Question 4 of 20 Medium

Which of the following is an example of racemose inflorescence mentioned in NCERT?

  1. A Solanum
  2. B Dianthus
  3. C Begonia
  4. D Mustard

Correct answer: Mustard

Mustard is a typical NCERT example of racemose inflorescence, where the central axis grows indefinitely while producing lateral flowers.

Question 5 of 20 Medium

Solanum (Potato family) typically exhibits which type of inflorescence?

  1. A Cymose
  2. B Racemose
  3. C Corymb
  4. D Cyathium

Correct answer: Cymose

Solanum species generally show cymose inflorescence where the floral axis terminates in a flower. This results in limited growth of the primary floral shoot.

Question 6 of 20 Medium

When the shoot tip transforms into a flower, it is always:

  1. A Solitary
  2. B Axillary
  3. C Compound
  4. D Epigynous

Correct answer: Solitary

A shoot tip that undergoes floral transition becomes a solitary flower. This occurs when the apical meristem is completely used up in the formation of floral organs.

Question 7 of 20 Medium

The modified shoot where the shoot apical meristem changes to floral meristem is called the:

  1. A Thalamus
  2. B Pedicel
  3. C Receptacle
  4. D Peduncle

Correct answer: Peduncle

The peduncle (inflorescence axis) is the specialized shoot that bears the flowers. During its formation, internodes do not elongate and the axis gets condensed.

Question 8 of 20 Medium

In acropetal succession, where are the youngest flowers located?

  1. A Near the apex of the axis
  2. B At the base of the axis
  3. C In the middle of the axis
  4. D Randomly distributed

Correct answer: Near the apex of the axis

Acropetal succession means the oldest flowers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top. This is the defining developmental pattern of racemose inflorescences.

Question 9 of 20 Medium

What is the primary difference between racemose and cymose inflorescence?

  1. A The color of the flower petals
  2. B The position of the floral ovary
  3. C The presence of floral bracts
  4. D The growth pattern of the axis

Correct answer: The growth pattern of the axis

The fundamental difference lies in whether the main axis continues to grow (racemose) or terminates in a flower (cymose). This determines the overall shape and blooming sequence of the inflorescence.

Question 10 of 20 Medium

Which of the following describes basipetal succession?

  1. A Oldest flowers near the apex
  2. B Youngest flowers at the apex
  3. C Opens from periphery to center
  4. D Opens from center to periphery

Correct answer: Oldest flowers near the apex

In basipetal succession, the oldest flower is at the tip and younger flowers develop further down the stem. This is characteristic of the cymose inflorescence.

Question 11 of 20 Medium

The floral axis in racemose inflorescence is known as:

  1. A Leaf petiole
  2. B Peduncle
  3. C Pedicel
  4. D Rachis

Correct answer: Peduncle

The peduncle is the stalk of an entire inflorescence. The individual stalks of each flower within that inflorescence are called pedicels.

Question 12 of 20 Medium

In a sunflower, the inflorescence is a specialized racemose type called a:

  1. A Spike
  2. B Umbel
  3. C Capitulum
  4. D Hypanthodium

Correct answer: Capitulum

Sunflower belongs to the Asteraceae family and features a capitulum or head inflorescence. In this type, many small sessile flowers (florets) are borne on a flattened receptacle.

Question 13 of 20 Medium

Which of the following statements about cymose inflorescence is correct?

  1. A Main axis grows indefinitely
  2. B Flowers are borne in acropetal succession
  3. C Main axis has limited growth
  4. D It is commonly seen in Mustard

Correct answer: Main axis has limited growth

In cymose inflorescence, the growth of the main axis is checked because the terminal bud transforms into a flower. This results in a finite number of flowers on that specific axis.

Question 14 of 20 Medium

The 'Catkin' inflorescence found in Mulberry is a modification of:

  1. A Cymose
  2. B Racemose
  3. C Specialized type
  4. D Solitary

Correct answer: Racemose

A catkin is a drooping spike of unisexual, apetalous flowers. It is considered a modified racemose inflorescence where the main axis is thin and weak.

Question 15 of 20 Medium

In which plant would you expect to find flowers arranged in a basipetal manner?

  1. A Mustard
  2. B Jasmine
  3. C Radish
  4. D Wheat

Correct answer: Jasmine

Jasmine, like many members of the Oleaceae and Solanaceae, exhibits cymose inflorescence. Thus, the flowers follow a basipetal blooming sequence.

Question 16 of 20 Medium

What happens to the internodes during the formation of an inflorescence?

  1. A They elongate significantly
  2. B They do not elongate at all
  3. C They transform into petals
  4. D They disappear completely

Correct answer: They do not elongate at all

During the transition to flowering, the internodes of the floral axis do not elongate. This causes the axis to become condensed, bringing the nodes and flowers closer together.

Question 17 of 20 Medium

A group of flowers arising from a single point, like in onion, is an example of:

  1. A Spike
  2. B Umbel
  3. C Spadix
  4. D Cyme

Correct answer: Umbel

An umbel is a racemose inflorescence where the pedicels are of equal length and appear to radiate from a single point at the top of the peduncle. It is characteristic of the Apiaceae and Amaryllidaceae (onion) families.

Question 18 of 20 Medium

Which part of the plant is modified to form the inflorescence axis?

  1. A Leaf
  2. B Root
  3. C Shoot
  4. D Petiole

Correct answer: Shoot

The inflorescence is a modified shoot. The vegetative apex transforms into a reproductive apex, stopping leaf production and starting the production of floral organs.

Question 19 of 20 Medium

Centripetal arrangement of flowers is typically associated with which broad category?

  1. A Cymose
  2. B Racemose
  3. C Basipetal
  4. D Solitary

Correct answer: Racemose

In racemose types with a condensed axis (like umbels or heads), the flowers open from the outside toward the center (centripetally). This is the lateral equivalent of acropetal growth.

Question 20 of 20 Medium

Identify the incorrect pair based on NCERT descriptions:

  1. A Racemose - Acropetal
  2. B Cymose - Basipetal
  3. C Mustard - Cymose
  4. D Solanum - Cymose

Correct answer: Mustard - Cymose

Mustard actually exhibits racemose inflorescence, not cymose. Solanum and Jasmine are the standard examples for cymose arrangements.

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