In vexillary aestivation, keel represents

Options

A. The largest posterior petal
B. Two smaller lateral petals
C. Two smallest anterior petals
D. The largest anterior petal

Answer

To solve the question regarding what the keel represents in vexillary aestivation, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand Estivation**:
- Estivation refers to the arrangement of petals and sepals in a flower. It is important to know the different types of estivation, such as vexillary, twisted, valvate, and imbricate.

2. **Identify Vexillary Aestivation**:
- In vexillary aestivation, there are five petals arranged in a specific manner. The arrangement consists of one large posterior petal, two smaller lateral petals, and two smallest anterior petals.

3. **Label the Petals**:
- The petals can be labeled as follows:
- The largest posterior petal is known as the "standard."
- The two smaller lateral petals are referred to as "wings."
- The two smallest anterior petals are called the "keel."

4. **Analyze the Options**:
- Given the options:
1. Largest posterior petal
2. Two smaller lateral petals
3. Two smallest anterior petals
4. Largest anterior petal
- We need to determine which of these corresponds to the keel.

5. **Evaluate Each Option**:
- **Option 1**: The largest posterior petal is the standard, so this is incorrect.
- **Option 2**: The two smaller lateral petals are the wings, so this is also incorrect.
- **Option 3**: The two smallest anterior petals are indeed the keel, making this option correct.
- **Option 4**: There is no largest anterior petal, so this is incorrect.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the analysis, the correct answer is that in vexillary aestivation, the keel represents the two smallest anterior petals.

### Final Answer:
In vexillary aestivation, the keel represents the two smallest anterior petals.