NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -In Australian Acacia, the leaves are small and short-lived. Hence in these plants, the petioles are modified. They expand and become green and perform photosynthesis. These modified petioles capable of performing photosynthesis and synthesizing food are called phyllodes.

Detailed explanation-2: -Concerning the phyllodes, which are leaf-like photosynthetic organs commonly found in many species of Acacia from Australia (Fahn, 1990), Boke (1940) has mentioned that they are homologous with the petiole/rachis of a pinnate foliage leaf, and the apical pointlet is an abortive terminal leaflet.

Detailed explanation-3: -Option C-Australian Acacia: Phyllode is found in genus Acacia commonly. It is also Australian Acacia called phyllodia. In Australian species it is common so we have the answer.

Detailed explanation-4: -Phyllode is a flattened petiole or rachis of a leaf which perform the function of photosynthesis. A bud is present in the axil of a phyllode and phyllode does not arise in the axil of a leaf as it is itself a leafy structure.

Detailed explanation-5: -Opuntia and Euphorbia are characterised by phylloclade while Asparagus by cladode.