Which one of the following plants shows vexillary aestivation and diadelphous stamens? (NEET 2022)
Answer: (B) Pisum sativum. Vexillary (papilionaceous) aestivation, where the large standard petal overlaps the two wings which overlap the two keel petals, together with diadelphous stamens, are diagnostic of the pea/bean group (Fabaceae – Papilionoideae).
- A.Colchicum autumnale
- B.Pisum sativum✓
- C.Allium cepa
- D.Solanum nigrum
Correct Answer
(B) Pisum sativum
Solution & Explanation
Vexillary (papilionaceous) aestivation, where the large standard petal overlaps the two wings which overlap the two keel petals, together with diadelphous stamens, are diagnostic of the pea/bean group (Fabaceae – Papilionoideae). Among the options only Pisum sativum (pea) shows both features; Colchicum and Allium (Liliaceae) and Solanum (Solanaceae) do not. NCERT Reference: Ch 5, p.64, lines 9-12 — "In pea and bean flowers, there are five petals, the largest (standard) overlaps the two lateral petals (wings)"
