An example of an endospermous seed is

Analyze the question: The question asks for an example of an endospermous (albuminous) seed. This is a seed in which the endosperm is retained in the mature seed and serves as the food store for the embryo.

Concept:

• Endospermous (albuminous) seeds: The endosperm persists after the seed matures. The cotyledon(s) are usually thin, and food is stored in the endosperm. Examples: maize, rice, wheat, castor oil seed, coconut.
• Non-endospermous (exalbuminous) seeds: The endosperm is used up during seed development, and food is stored in the cotyledons, which become thick and fleshy. Examples: beans, groundnut, cashew, cotton (mostly), pea, mango.

Solution (checking each option):

• A. Maize grain: The endosperm is large and persists. Maize is a monocot, and this is the classic example of an endospermous seed. ✔
• B. Cashew nut: Food is stored in the thick cotyledons. Non-endospermous.
• C. Cotton seed: Cotton does retain a thin layer of endosperm in some textbooks, but it is not the standard example. Its main food reserve is in the cotyledons, so it is usually grouped with non-endospermous seeds.
• D. Bean seed: Food is stored in the two fleshy cotyledons. Non-endospermous.

Tip: Remember that "grains" (maize, rice, wheat) are endospermous, while "beans and nuts" (beans, groundnut, cashew, pea) are non-endospermous because their food is stored in the cotyledons. Other endospermous examples to remember are castor seed and coconut.