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?
Explanation
Pair I – Cassava: Woody shrub → Correct Cassava (also called tapioca or manioc) is indeed a woody shrub cultivated for its starchy tuberous roots.
Pair II – Ginger: Herb with pseudostem → Correct Ginger is a herbaceous perennial with a pseudostem formed by leaf sheaths; the edible part is the rhizome.
Pair III – Malabar spinach: Herbaceous climber → Correct Malabar spinach (Basella alba) is a soft, herbaceous twining climber, commonly grown as a leafy vegetable.
Pair IV – Mint: Annual shrub → Incorrect Mint (Mentha spp.) is not a shrub; it is a perennial herb with soft stems, spreading by stolons.
Pair V – Papaya: Woody shrub → Incorrect Papaya (Carica papaya) is a herbaceous tree (giant herb), not a woody shrub—it has a soft, hollow stem.