AIIMS 2017 Botany Inflorescence and Fruits MCQ Question

Option C is correct because an umbel, catkin, and spadix can all develop into composite fruits. An umbel consists of multiple flowers that can produce a single fruit, while a catkin (typically found in plants like willows) can also develop into a fruiting structure. A spadix, often surrounded by a spathe, is characteristic of plants like arums and can produce multiple fruits from its flowers.

In contrast, the other options include inflorescences like spikes and corymbs, which do not typically develop into composite fruits. For instance, spikes generally produce individual fruits rather than a composite structure, and female catkins primarily produce single fruits rather than a cluster. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the relationships between inflorescence types and fruit development.