Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Bamboo
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Many general science questions test your familiarity with scientific names of plants that you see in daily life. Bambusa dendrocalmus, although slightly misspelt compared to the more standard Dendrocalamus or Bambusa names, clearly refers to a bamboo species. Bamboo is an important plant used in construction, furniture, paper making, and many traditional crafts. The question asks you to connect this scientific name to the correct common plant name among the options provided.
Given Data / Assumptions:
– The scientific name given is Bambusa dendrocalmus, which belongs to the bamboo group.
– The options list Bamboo, Pomegranate, Banyan, and Papaya, all of which are common plants.
– We assume a basic understanding that different genera correspond to very different kinds of plants.
– The task is to match the botanical name to the correct common English or Indian name.
Concept / Approach:
Bamboo belongs to the grass family Poaceae and is grouped under genera such as Bambusa and Dendrocalamus. These plants are characterised by hollow, jointed stems (culms), rapid growth, and woody strength, which makes them appear tree like even though they are technically grasses. Pomegranate is Punica granatum, a fruit bearing tree. Banyan is Ficus benghalensis, a large fig tree with aerial roots. Papaya is Carica papaya, a herbaceous tree that produces the papaya fruit. None of these other plants use the genus name Bambusa, so the only logical match is bamboo.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the genus name Bambusa is strongly associated with bamboo species in botany.
Step 2: Recall that bamboo is a fast growing woody grass used for building material and many household items.
Step 3: Note that pomegranate, banyan, and papaya each have very different scientific names that do not contain Bambusa.
Step 4: Conclude that Bambusa dendrocalmus must refer to a bamboo plant, so Bamboo is the correct option.
Verification / Alternative check:
If you consult a botany textbook or a horticulture guide, you will find that many cultivated bamboo species in South Asia are listed under the genera Bambusa and Dendrocalamus. These references often mention names like Bambusa bambos or Dendrocalamus strictus for common bamboos. Although the exact spelling in the question may blend these genus names, the presence of Bambusa clearly links the plant to bamboo. Checking the scientific names for pomegranate, banyan, and papaya will further confirm that none of them belong to the Bambusa genus, which verifies the correctness of the answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Pomegranate: Its scientific name is Punica granatum, and it belongs to an entirely different family, so it is not related to Bambusa.
Banyan: This tree is classified under the genus Ficus with the scientific name Ficus benghalensis, so it does not match the given botanical name.
Papaya: Papaya is known scientifically as Carica papaya and is not part of the bamboo group or the Bambusa genus.
Common Pitfalls:
Some students may focus only on familiar sounding common names and guess randomly when they see a Latin name. Others may confuse bamboo with general trees because of its height and woody appearance, forgetting that it is actually a giant grass. To avoid these issues, try to associate certain Latin roots with plant types; for example, Bambusa almost always signals bamboo. Building a small personal list of scientific names for very common plants will make such questions easy marks in competitive exams.
Final Answer:
Bambusa dendrocalmus is the scientific botanical name of Bamboo.
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