QUESTION

Hard

Environment & Ecology

Prelims 2025

Consider the following pairs:

Plant – Description I. Cassava : Woody shrub II. Ginger : Herb with pseudostem III. Malabar spinach : Herbaceous climber IV. Mint : Annual shrub V. Papaya : Woody shrub

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

Pair I – Cassava : Woody shrub → Correct Cassava (also called tapioca or manioc) is indeed a woody shrub cultivated for its starchy tuberous roots.

Pair II – Ginger : Herb with pseudostem → Correct Ginger is a herbaceous perennial with a pseudostem formed by leaf sheaths; the edible part is the rhizome.

Pair III – Malabar spinach : Herbaceous climber → Correct Malabar spinach (Basella alba) is a soft, herbaceous twining climber, commonly grown as a leafy vegetable.

Pair IV – Mint : Annual shrub → Incorrect Mint (Mentha spp.) is not a shrub; it is a perennial herb with soft stems, spreading by stolons.

Pair V – Papaya : Woody shrub → Incorrect Papaya (Carica papaya) is a herbaceous tree (giant herb), not a woody shrub—it has a soft, hollow stem.

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