Correct Option (B)
Only three
Explanation
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.
Incorrect Options
- 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.