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?

Q 2 / 13

UPSC CSE Prelims 2025

Consider the following pairs :

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Only three

The following three pairs are correctly matched:

I. Cassava: Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a woody shrub, cultivated for its starchy tuberous roots, which serve as a significant carbohydrate source in tropical regions.
II. Ginger: Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a perennial herb. It forms a pseudostem from the sheathing bases of its leaves, and its underground rhizome is extensively used in cooking and traditional medicine.
III. Malabar spinach: Malabar spinach (Basella alba) is a herbaceous climbing plant. Its leaves and stems are edible, and it thrives in warm, humid tropical environments.

IV. Mint: Mint (Mentha species) is a perennial herb, not an annual shrub. It is known for its rapid spread, primarily through underground rhizomes.
V. Papaya: Papaya (Carica papaya) is a large herbaceous plant with a soft, non-woody stem. Although it can grow to a considerable height resembling a tree, it lacks true woody tissue and is therefore not classified as a woody shrub.

SOURCENCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants