In cyathium inflorescence

Options

A. single male flower is surrounded by female flowers
B. male and female flowers are borne in different plants
C. there is only one male and one female flower
D. single female flower is surrounded by many peripheral male flowers

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Cyathium Inflorescence**:
- Cyathium is a type of inflorescence found in the Euphorbia genus. It is characterized by a unique arrangement of flowers.

2. **Structure of Cyathium**:
- In a cyathium, the bracts (modified leaves) are fused together to form a cup-shaped structure. This is a key feature that distinguishes cyathium from other types of inflorescences.

3. **Arrangement of Flowers**:
- Within this cup-shaped structure, there is a single female flower located at the center. This female flower is usually older compared to the surrounding male flowers.

4. **Surrounding Male Flowers**:
- The male flowers are positioned around the central female flower. These male flowers are typically younger and are arranged peripherally around the female flower.

5. **Identifying the Correct Option**:
- Given the options in the question, the description that fits the cyathium inflorescence is: "single female flower is surrounded by many peripheral male flowers." This matches the structure we have discussed.

6. **Final Answer**:
- Therefore, the correct answer is option 4: "single female flower is surrounded by many peripheral male flowers."

---