Wholred is defined as which plant feature?

• A. A group of three leaves arranged around the stem
• B. A group of three bud arrangement, but not a leaflet
• C. A single leaf at each node
• D. A cluster of leaflets from a single leaf

Answer: (B)

Whorled describes parts that come from the same node and form a circle around the stem. A group of three buds arranged around the stem at a single node fits this circular, multi-part arrangement, and the line about being buds rather than a leaflet emphasizes that we’re talking about multiple organs positioned at the node rather than a leaf disassembled into leaflets. So this captures the idea of multiple structures arising in a ring at one point on the stem. A single leaf at a node is not a whorl, and a cluster of leaflets from a single leaf is a compound leaf, not a whorl around the stem.