Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. A-III, B-I, C-II, D-IV
2. A-I, B-II, C-IV, D-III
3. A-II, B-IV, C-III, D-I
4. A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II

   The correct matching is:
   A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II

   So, the correct option is: A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II.

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   Introduction

   Understanding the types of vascular bundles in different plants is a repeated concept in NEET, CUET and board exams. This matching question links common examples like Osmunda, Cucurbita, Acorus and Cassia with their characteristic vascular bundle types, and once you see the logic, you can answer similar MCQs very quickly.

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   Step-by-step Matching of List I and List II

   List I (Plants):
   A. Osmunda
   B. Cucurbita
   C. Acorus
   D. Cassia

   List II (Vascular bundle types):
   I. Amphivasal vascular bundles
   II. Collateral vascular bundles
   III. Bicollateral vascular bundles
   IV. Amphicribral bundles

   We must match each plant with its characteristic bundle type.

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   A. Osmunda – Amphicribral bundles (IV)

   • Osmunda is a fern (pteridophyte).

   • In many ferns, the vascular bundle is amphicribral (also called concentric amphicribral): xylem is in the center and is completely surrounded by phloem.

   • This fits List II option IV – Amphicribral bundles.

   So: A → IV (Osmunda – Amphicribral)

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   B. Cucurbita – Bicollateral vascular bundles (III)

   • Cucurbita (pumpkin, squash, gourd) is a typical example of bicollateral vascular bundles in dicot stems.

   • In bicollateral bundles, phloem is present on both sides of the xylem, i.e., phloem–xylem–phloem in a single bundle.

   • Therefore Cucurbita corresponds to III – Bicollateral vascular bundles.

   So: B → III (Cucurbita – Bicollateral)

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   C. Acorus – Amphivasal vascular bundles (I)

   • Acorus is a monocot with concentric amphivasal bundles in its rhizome.

   • In amphivasal bundles, xylem surrounds the phloem (the reverse pattern of amphicribral).

   • Hence Acorus matches I – Amphivasal vascular bundles.

   So: C → I (Acorus – Amphivasal)

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   D. Cassia – Collateral vascular bundles (II)

   • Cassia is a typical dicot stem example with conjoint, collateral, open vascular bundles.

   • In collateral bundles, xylem and phloem lie side by side on the same radius, with xylem towards the center and phloem towards the periphery.

   • This fits II – Collateral vascular bundles.

   So: D → II (Cassia – Collateral)

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   Checking Each Option in the Question

   Given options:

   1. A-III, B-I, C-II, D-IV

   2. A-I, B-II, C-IV, D-III

   3. A-II, B-IV, C-III, D-I

   4. A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II

   We obtained: A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II, which matches option 4 exactly.

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   Summary Table for Quick Revision

   Plant	Vascular bundle type	Key pattern to remember
   Osmunda	Amphicribral (IV)	Xylem in center, phloem around (fern)
   Cucurbita	Bicollateral (III)	Phloem–xylem–phloem (typical NEET example)
   Acorus	Amphivasal (I)	Phloem in center, xylem surrounding (concentric)
   Cassia	Collateral (II)	Xylem inner, phloem outer (usual dicot stem)

   Use this pattern to recognise plant examples quickly in MCQs on vascular bundles.