Which plant is a classic example of a phylloclade (a photosynthetic stem)?

Which plant is a classic example of a phylloclade (a photosynthetic stem)?

• A. Opuntia
• B. Neem
• C. Silk cotton
• D. Plum

Answer: (A)

Phylloclade is a stem that takes over the role of photosynthesis and looks leaf-like. In Opuntia, the green, flattened stems called cladodes perform photosynthesis, while true leaves are reduced to spines or absent. This adaptation gives the plant a broad, flat photosynthetic surface that helps conserve water in dry environments. The other plants listed have typical leafy stems and do not display leaf-like photosynthetic stems, so they aren’t examples of phylloclades.

Phylloclade is a stem that takes over the role of photosynthesis and looks leaf-like. In Opuntia, the green, flattened stems called cladodes perform photosynthesis, while true leaves are reduced to spines or absent. This adaptation gives the plant a broad, flat photosynthetic surface that helps conserve water in dry environments. The other plants listed have typical leafy stems and do not display leaf-like photosynthetic stems, so they aren’t examples of phylloclades.