Which term describes a compound ovary formed by fusion of multiple carpels?

• A. Apocarpous
• B. Perianth
• C. Axile Placentation
• D. Syncarpous

Answer: (D)

When several carpels fuse to form one ovary, the resulting structure is called syncarpous. This means the carpels are united into a single ovary, which may contain multiple locules depending on how the fusion occurs. In contrast, apocarpous ovaries have the carpels remaining separate, producing multiple distinct ovaries in the same flower. The other terms aren’t about fusion: perianth is the outer floral parts (sepals and petals), and axile placentation describes how ovules attach inside a multicarpellate ovary, not whether the carpels are fused. So the term for a compound ovary formed by fusion of multiple carpels is syncarpous.