Q.46. Indefinite stamen is a characteristic feature of which of the following plant families?
(A) Malvaceae
(B) Apocynaceae
(C) Poaceae
(D) Brassicaceae

Indefinite stamens, numerous and not fixed in number, define specific plant families in botany. The correct answer to this MCQ is (A) Malvaceae. This feature aids in family identification during exams.​

Correct Answer

Malvaceae exhibits indefinite stamens, often monadelphous where filaments fuse into a tube around the style, appearing numerous due to multiplication from five epipetalous bases. Examples include Hibiscus and cotton plants, key for classification.​

Option Analysis

Malvaceae (A) – Correct

Stamens are indefinite, monadelphous, forming a staminal tube; anthers monothecous. This distinguishes the mallow family.​

Apocynaceae (B) – Incorrect

Apocynaceae has definite stamens, typically five, epipetalous and inserted in corolla throat, often with a gynostegium.​

Poaceae (C) – Incorrect

Poaceae features three definite stamens per flower, with versatile, basifixed anthers adapted for wind pollination in grasses.​

Brassicaceae (D) – Incorrect

Brassicaceae shows tetradynamous stamens: six total, four long outer and two short inner, fixed number.​