UPSC Prelims 2025 · Question 19 of 100

UPSC Prelims 2025 question on Cassava Ginger Spinach Mint Papaya

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?

  1. Only two
  2. Only three
  3. Only four
  4. All the five
Show answer

Answer: B. Only three

Analysis

Only three pairs (I, II, III) are correctly matched → Option (b).

Statement by statement

Pair I – CORRECT: Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a woody shrub native to South America, cultivated primarily for its starchy tuberous roots.

Pair II – CORRECT: Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a perennial herb that produces a pseudostem made up of tightly packed leaf bases. Hence pair II is correctly matched.

Pair III – CORRECT: Malabar spinach (Basella alba) is a fast-growing herbaceous climber native to South Asia. Hence pair III is correctly matched.

Pair IV – INCORRECT: Mint (Mentha species) is a vigorous perennial herb, not an annual shrub. It spreads rapidly through underground rhizomes. Hence pair IV is not correctly matched.

Pair V – INCORRECT: Papaya (Carica papaya) is a large herb with a soft, non-woody stem — not a woody shrub. Hence pair V is not correctly matched.

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