Which is correct about Viola?

Options

A. Commonly called common pansy
B. Bears two types of flowers, chasmogamous and cleistogamous
C. Produce assured seed-set even in the absence of pollinators
D. All of the above

Answer

D

Explanation

• Some plants such as Viola (common pansy), Oxalis and Commelina produce two types of flowers-Chasmogamous flowers which are similar to flowers of other species with exposed anthers and stigma, and cleistogamous flowers which do not open at all.
• In such flowers, the anthers and stigma lie close to each other. When anther dehisce in the flower bud, pollen grains come in contact with stigma to effect pollination.
• Cleistogamous flowers are invariably autogamous as there is no chance of cross-pollen landing on the stigma.
• Cleistogamous flowers produce assured seed-set even in absence of pollinators.