The correct option is (b).
Explanation
Plants are a primary source of food for humans. The edible parts of a plant are not limited to fruits but extend to roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds, depending on the plant species.- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Humans consume various parts of plants, not just fruits. Common examples include roots (carrot, radish), stems (potato, sugarcane, ginger), leaves (spinach, coriander), and seeds (pulses, cereals).
- Statement 2 is Correct: Certain plants possess multiple edible parts. A prominent example is the mustard plant; its seeds are used to extract oil and as a spice, while its leaves are consumed as a vegetable. Similarly, the banana plant provides edible fruit, flowers, and stems.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Flowers of several plants are widely used as food ingredients in Indian cuisine. For instance, flowers of pumpkin, banana, and kachnar (Bauhinia variegata) are cooked as vegetables or made into fritters in different regions.
Key Takeaway: Edibility in plants is diverse; roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds can all serve as food sources. Some plants, such as mustard and banana, provide more than one edible part.