Practice question

Lodicules represent highly reduced perianth in Poaceae, generally two small fleshy scale-like structures at ovary base between lemma and palea. At anthesis they absorb water, swell turgidly within minutes and mechanically push rigid lemma away from palea, thereby opening floret for stamen exsertion and feathery stigma exposure favouring anemophily. After pollination they collapse and floret closes. They do not serve seed dispersal, embryo protection or storage, which are functions of glumes, caryopsis wall and triploid endosperm. Physiologically lodicule turgor acts as floral motor mechanism conserved across subfamilies of grasses.