Tamarindus indica is the scientific name of which commonly used tropical tree?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Tamarind

Explanation:


Introduction:
Scientific names are used to uniquely identify species across the world. This question checks whether the learner can match the Latin binomial Tamarindus indica with its common name. Such questions are frequent in biology based general knowledge tests.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The scientific name given is Tamarindus indica.
  • The options list common plant names: neem, pineapple, tamarind, chiku, and mango.
  • We assume standard botanical nomenclature where the first word is the genus and the second is the species.


Concept / Approach:
Each plant species is given a binomial name according to rules of taxonomy. Tamarindus indica is the scientific name assigned to the tamarind tree, a leguminous tree whose sour pulp is widely used in cooking in tropical countries. The genus Tamarindus relates directly to the word tamarind, and indica indicates that it has a connection with the Indian region. Matching these Latin roots with familiar plant names makes the identification straightforward.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Look at the generic name Tamarindus and note its similarity to the word tamarind.Step 2: Recall that tamarind is a tree whose pods contain sour pulp used in many dishes.Step 3: Recognise that indica often appears in scientific names of species associated with India or the Indian subcontinent.Step 4: Compare each option with the generic name and see that tamarind is the closest match.Step 5: Select tamarind as the correct common name for Tamarindus indica.


Verification / Alternative check:
Botany textbooks and reliable reference charts of scientific names list Tamarindus indica as the scientific name of the tamarind tree. They often pair neem with Azadirachta indica, pineapple with Ananas comosus, and mango with Mangifera indica. Observing these pairs helps students remember the correct associations.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Neem corresponds to Azadirachta indica, not Tamarindus indica. Pineapple has the scientific name Ananas comosus. Chiku, also known as sapota, is named Manilkara zapota in scientific nomenclature. Mango is called Mangifera indica. None of these match the genus Tamarindus, which clearly refers to tamarind.


Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the many plant names that end with indica and may guess neem or mango. To avoid confusion, it is useful to focus on the genus word, which usually hints at the common name. In this case, Tamarindus is the key clue that leads directly to tamarind.


Final Answer:
Correct option: Tamarind

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