Which set of vegetables is underground stem or modified stem of a plant? (a) Potato, artichoke, round gourd (b) Onion, garlic, carrot (c) Potato, onion, garlic (d) Potato, garlic, turnip

Vegetables are classified by the plant part consumed. Underground stems are modified structures like tubers and bulbs that store energy. Potatoes are stem tubers [2]. Onions and garlic are classified as bulbs, which are also modified underground stem structures [2]. In contrast, carrots, turnips, and beets are true taproots [1]. Artichokes are typically consumed as flower buds, though Jerusalem artichokes are tubers [1]. Round gourds are botanical fruits [1]. Therefore, the set containing only modified stems is potato, onion, and garlic. While they grow underground, bulbs (onion/garlic) and tubers (potato) are morphologically distinct from true roots because they possess nodes, internodes, or modified leaf bases.

Sources

1. [2] http://www.agritech.tnau.ac.in/horticulture/Ediple%20Plant%20Parts.pdf
2. [1] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet > Activity 13.3: Let us find out > p. 221