2025 · Science & TechnologyPrevious Year Question
Q19.
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?
A. Only two
B. Only three
C. Only four
D. All the five
Answer

B

Explanation

(Manihot esculenta) is a woody shrub native South America, cultivated primarily for its starchy roots, which serve as a major source of in tropical and subtropical regions. It is known as tapioca in parts of India. Hence pair I is matched. (Zingiber officinale), originally from Southeast is a perennial herb that produces a pseudostem up of tightly packed leaf bases. Its rhizome is used in cooking and traditional medicine. Hence II is correctly matched. spinach (Basella alba) is a fast-growing climber native to South Asia. It thrives in humid climates and is valued for its edible, leaves and stems, which are rich in Hence pair III is correctly matched. (Mentha species) is a vigorous perennial herb It rapidly through underground rhizomes and is for its aromatic leaves, which are widely used in cosmetic, and medicinal applications. Hence IV is not correctly matched. papaya (Carica papaya) is a tropical plant that tree-like but is actually a large herb with a non-woody stem. Native to Central America, it is for its sweet, nutritious fruit and has several medicinal uses. Despite its size, papaya’s classifies it botanically as an herb, not a shrub. Hence pair V is not correctly matched.