Which plant shows alternate leaf arrangement?

Which plant shows alternate leaf arrangement?

• A. Neem
• B. Silk Cotton
• C. China Rose
• D. Guava

Answer: (C)

Leaf arrangement is how leaves are positioned on the stem. Alternate arrangement means one leaf sits at each node, with leaves appearing on alternating sides as you move up the stem. China rose has simple leaves borne singly at each node, producing this alternating pattern along the stem, which fits the definition perfectly. Neem bears compound leaves rather than a single leaf at a node, so the simple-leaf alternate pattern isn’t the right way to describe its arrangement. Silk cotton has palmately compound leaves, with several leaflets sharing a single point, which again isn’t the simple, alternating arrangement. Guava has leaves arranged oppositely in pairs at each node, so it is not alternate.

Leaf arrangement is how leaves are positioned on the stem. Alternate arrangement means one leaf sits at each node, with leaves appearing on alternating sides as you move up the stem. China rose has simple leaves borne singly at each node, producing this alternating pattern along the stem, which fits the definition perfectly.

Neem bears compound leaves rather than a single leaf at a node, so the simple-leaf alternate pattern isn’t the right way to describe its arrangement. Silk cotton has palmately compound leaves, with several leaflets sharing a single point, which again isn’t the simple, alternating arrangement. Guava has leaves arranged oppositely in pairs at each node, so it is not alternate.