Question

What is the edible portion of cauliflower ?

• A. Modified leaves
• B. Modified flowers
• C. Modified inflorescence
• D. Modified stem

Hint:

The white head or "curd" of a cauliflower that we eat is botanically a modified inflorescence. It's a compact mass of undeveloped flower buds and their thickened stalks, formed from the plant's apical meristem.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Cauliflower's curd, like broccoli's head, is the apical meristem proliferated into branched, undeveloped floral shoots.
Step 2: It isn't a modified stem (compare kohlrabi) or modified leaves (leaves only surround it).
Step 3: Because it is a mass of unopened floral branches rather than individual flowers, modified flowers is too narrow a description.
Step 4: The correct term is modified inflorescence.