Question

The cashew plant is

• A. Monoecious
• B. Dioecious
• C. Andromonoecious
• D. Gynodioecious

Hint:

Andromonoecious = Male + Hermaphrodite flowers on the same plant.
This is a key characteristic of Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) and many cucurbits.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The cashew plant's flowering system plays an important role in its classification in horticulture. To address the given question, we need to understand the meaning of terms related to flower biology:

1. Monoecious: Plants that have both male and female flowers on the same individual. Examples include corn and cucumbers.
2. Dioecious: Plants that have male and female flowers on separate individuals. Examples include holly and kiwifruit.
3. Andromonoecious: Plants that have both staminate (male) and hermaphroditic (both male and female) flowers on the same plant. This is the correct classification for cashew plants, which means they can produce both types of flowers on the same individual.
4. Gynodioecious: A population that has both hermaphrodite and female individuals. Examples of such plants are thyme.

Considering these definitions, the correct answer is that the cashew plant is andromonoecious. Cashew plants bear staminate (male) flowers and hermaphroditic flowers, allowing them to self-pollinate or cross-pollinate, which is crucial for their fruit production.

Therefore, the correct answer is Andromonoecious.