Gloriosa superba exhibits

Options

A. Heterostyly
B. Self sterility
C. Herkogamy
D. Cleistogamy.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks about the reproductive characteristics exhibited by Gloriosa superba. We have four options to consider: heterostyly, self-sterility, hargagamy, and cleistogamy.

2. **Analyzing Heterostyly**:
- Heterostyly refers to a condition where flowers of the same species have styles of different lengths.
- This variation in style length promotes cross-pollination by positioning the stigma either above or below the anthers, preventing self-pollination.
- Example species: Primrose exhibits heterostyly.
- Conclusion: Gloriosa superba does not exhibit heterostyly.

3. **Analyzing Self-Sterility**:
- Self-sterility is a condition where the male and female reproductive cells produced by the same individual do not fuse to form a zygote.
- This condition is often termed self-incompatibility in plants.
- Conclusion: Gloriosa superba does not exhibit self-sterility.

4. **Analyzing Hargagamy**:
- Hargagamy is a condition where, despite having bisexual flowers, the pollen grains cannot reach the stigma due to the structure of the flower.
- In Gloriosa superba, the anthers dehisce outwardly, preventing pollen from falling onto the stigma, thus promoting cross-pollination.
- Conclusion: Gloriosa superba exhibits hargagamy.

5. **Analyzing Cleistogamy**:
- Cleistogamy is the self-pollination that occurs in unopened flowers.
- This condition allows for self-pollination without the need for pollinators.
- Conclusion: Gloriosa superba does not exhibit cleistogamy.

6. **Final Conclusion**: After analyzing all options, the correct answer is that Gloriosa superba exhibits hargagamy.

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