Question

Coast redwoods sometimes take the form of a “fairy ring,” a circle of trees that have sprouted from a redwood stump. Which of the following statements must be true about a fairy ring?

Select all that apply

It is an example of vegetative propagation.

It is produced by asexual reproduction.

The trees in it are genetic clones.

The trees in the ring are incapable of further reproduction.

Answer 1

Select the true statements:

- It is an example of vegetative propagation. — True. Sprouting from a stump is vegetative (shoots arise from existing plant tissues).
- It is produced by asexual reproduction. — True. Vegetative propagation is a form of asexual reproduction (no gametes/seed formation).
- The trees in it are genetic clones. — True (with the usual caveat). The sprouts originate from the original tree's tissues, so they share the same genotype as the parent (except for any somatic mutations).

- The trees in the ring are incapable of further reproduction. — False. The sprouts can reproduce further, including sexually (producing cones and seeds) and vegetatively.