NEET2026BiologyChapterActual
Which of the following plant structures is NOT a modification of the stem?
Options
- ATendrils in watermelon
- BThorns in Bougainvillea
- CStilt roots in sugarcane
- DFleshy cylindrical structures in Euphorbia
Correct answer
C. Stilt roots in sugarcane
Step-by-step solution
Tendrils in watermelon develop from axillary buds, making them a stem modification. Thorns in Bougainvillea also arise from axillary buds and are modified stems. Fleshy cylindrical structures in Euphorbia are phylloclades, which are modified stems that perform photosynthesis. Stilt roots in sugarcane arise from the lower nodes of the stem to provide mechanical support. They are a type of adventitious root, making them a root modification, not a stem modification. Answer: Stilt roots in sugarcane