Question

Leaf tendrils are found in
A. Pea
B. Cucumber
C. Grape vine
D. All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: They are the genus of the family Fabaceae native to South-West Asia and North-East Africa. The scientific name of this plant is Pisum sativum.

Complete answer:
Tendrils are basically modified stem or leaf that has thread-like shape which provides support for the climbing parts of the plants.
A leaf tendril is a specialized plant organ that possesses twining growth tendency that encircles any object it encounters.
A leaf tendril in peas are actually modified leaves that emerges through a leaf node and it has wiry and coiled structure that surrounds and supports the plant.
In cucumber, an axillary bud produces stem tendrils that are spirally coiled and has a potential to form shoots. In grapevine, apical bud which terminal bud gets modified to form stem tendrils. So, in the garden pea, it is only the terminal leaflets that are modified to become tendrils.

Thus, the correct answer is option A. i.e., Pea.

Additional information: The scientific name of the pea, cucumber and grapevine given below: Pea: Pisum sativum belongs to the kingdom of plantae. Cucumber: Cucumis sativus also belongs to the kingdom of plantae. Grapevine: Vitis vinifera belongs to the family of Vitaceae.

Note: The earliest studies on tendrils was done by Charles Darwin’s which was published in 1865. Tendrils do not have lamina or blade but they can photosynthesize. They are very sensitive to chemicals and determine the direction of growth in plants.