Myrrh: Botany and Commercial Uses
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Questions and Answers

Which plant family does myrrh belong to?

  • Fabaceae
  • Anacardiaceae
  • Burseraceae (correct)
  • Rutaceae

What is the native distribution of myrrh?

  • Southeast Asia and North America
  • Australia and South America
  • Arabian Peninsula and parts of Africa (correct)
  • Mediterranean region and East Asia

Which part of the myrrh plant is used commercially?

  • Resin (correct)
  • Flowers
  • Leaves
  • Roots

What is the first step in the harvesting process of myrrh resin?

<p>Selection of trees (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During the harvesting of myrrh resin, what process follows after making incisions in the tree's bark?

<p>Resin collection (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following plant parts are considered true roots?

<p>Carrots and turnips (B), Garlic and chives (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes bulbs from tubers?

<p>Bulbs have roots at the bottom while tubers do not (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What contributed to the susceptibility of the potato crop in Ireland during the 19th century?

<p>Monoculture of a single cultivar (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about true roots is accurate?

<p>True roots are primarily taproots specialized for carbohydrate storage (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary nutritional component of cassava?

<p>Starch (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is unique to rhizomes compared to other root storage structures?

<p>They are swollen, horizontal underground stems (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What must be done to taro before consumption?

<p>It must be boiled (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which family do the major food bulbs, such as onions and garlic, belong to?

<p>Amaryllidaceae (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about sweet potatoes is TRUE?

<p>They can be propagated from stem cuttings. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following plant parts is typically harvested as a green vegetable crop?

<p>Bamboo shoots (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the introduction of the sugar beet influence European agriculture?

<p>It provided an alternative to cane sugar during conflicts. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of taproots in economically important vegetables?

<p>They store carbohydrates within the root (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of biennial species that produce taproots?

<p>They store nutrients in their taproots. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which family does the carrot belong to?

<p>Apiaceae (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following vegetables is classified as a tuber?

<p>Potato (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of yam propagation?

<p>Using tuber cuttings (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What major event was triggered by potato blight in the mid-1800s?

<p>A significant famine in Ireland (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of yam is native to Central America?

<p>Cush-cush yam (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of the sugar beet developed in the late 1700s?

<p>It has a high sucrose content. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What common trait do potatoes and yams share in terms of propagation?

<p>They are propagated vegetatively. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component of sweet potatoes that distinguishes them from regular potatoes?

<p>Greater susceptibility to pests (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the introduction of the potato have on European diets?

<p>It became a staple food source. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which feature makes the Mustard family suitable for growth in north temperate regions?

<p>Their cold hardiness (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What component gives mustard its distinct pungent flavor?

<p>Mustard oil glycosides (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following vegetables is classified as a cultivar of Brassica oleracea?

<p>Cauliflower (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of head does cauliflower produce?

<p>A modified head of sterile flowers (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a cultivar associated with Brassica rapa?

<p>Brussels sprouts (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines the culinary use of Bok choi?

<p>Its rosette of leaves and stalks (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes white asparagus from green asparagus during harvest?

<p>Mounding earth prevents sunlight access (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which vegetable is native to the Mediterranean and has been domesticated for over 6,000 years?

<p>Lettuce (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the leaf petioles used in culinary dishes?

<p>They can be eaten raw or cooked (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which feature makes spinach particularly nutritious?

<p>Rich in minerals and vitamins (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What culinary role does chicory serve aside from being a salad ingredient?

<p>Mainly used as animal forage (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is a unique trait of kohlrabi?

<p>It forms a bulbous lower stem (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Myrrh plant family

The myrrh plant belongs to the Burseraceae family.

Myrrh plant type

Myrrh is a woody shrub or small tree, and a perennial plant.

Myrrh native region

Myrrh is native to the Arabian Peninsula and parts of Africa.

Commercially used part of Myrrh

The resin from the myrrh tree is used commercially.

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Myrrh resin harvesting stages

Myrrh resin harvesting involves selecting trees, making incisions, collecting resin, and allowing it to harden.

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What are vegetables?

Vegetables are plant parts (above or below ground) excluding the fruit. They can be categorized as root crops or green crops.

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What's the difference between root and green crops?

Root crops are harvested from the soil, including true roots and modified stems. Green crops are harvested above-ground, excluding the fruit.

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What are true roots?

True roots are the primary plant parts that absorb and transport water and nutrients.

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What are taproots?

Taproots are large, swollen true roots that store carbohydrates.

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What are bulbs?

Bulbs are modified stems with basal scale leaves, like onions and garlic.

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What are tubers?

Tubers are enlarged rhizome tips with buds, like potatoes and yams.

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What are corms?

Corms are enlarged, fleshy stem bases, like water chestnuts and taro.

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What are examples of green crops?

Green crops include above-ground plant parts like leaves (spinach), stems (asparagus), immature flowering heads (broccoli), shoot tips (bamboo shoots) and seedlings (alfalfa sprouts).

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Potato Domestication

Potatoes were originally domesticated in the Andes Mountains of South America around 7,000 years ago.

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What is a 'green' vegetable?

A plant part that is harvested above ground, excluding the fruit.

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What is the Mustard family known for?

It's known for its cold hardiness, making it suitable for growing in cold climates.

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Potato Introduction to Europe

The potato was introduced to Europe by the Spanish in the 1500s, becoming a staple food source across continental Europe.

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What are glucosinolates?

Chemicals that give mustard its pungent odor and taste.

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Potato Composition

Fresh potatoes are primarily composed of water (80%), carbohydrates (starch), and some vitamins, but contain very little protein.

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Potato Reproduction

Potatoes are propagated vegetatively through their 'eyes,' which produce clones of the original plant.

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What is Brassica oleracea?

A highly mutable species that has given rise to many 'green' vegetables.

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How is cabbage formed?

The apical meristem fails to elongate, and the inner leaves don't expand, creating a tight head.

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Irish Potato Famine

A devastating potato blight in the mid-19th century caused widespread famine in Ireland, resulting in significant death and emigration.

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What makes broccoli special?

It's composed of immature flower buds and their thick stems.

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Yam Species

Several species of yams are important food crops in tropical regions, providing a significant carbohydrate source.

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What are Brussels sprouts?

Miniature cabbage heads that develop from axillary buds on the stem.

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Taro (Colocasia esculenta)

Taro, a significant corm crop, originated from the Indian subcontinent and is widely cultivated in tropical regions.

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Taro Preparation

Taro must be cooked to remove calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation.

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What is cauliflower made of?

A modified head of sterile, abortive flowers.

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What is kohlrabi's unique feature?

It produces a fleshy, bulbous lower stem.

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Cassava (Manihot esculenta)

Cassava, a tropical starchy root crop, is a crucial food source in many tropical regions, particularly Africa.

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What is Kale?

A leafy form closest to the wild Brassica oleracea.

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Cassava Toxicity

Cassava contains poisonous cyanogenic glycosides that must be removed through processing, such as pulverizing and boiling.

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What is Brassica rapa?

Another highly mutable species that yielded numerous 'green' vegetables.

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Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas)

The sweet potato, a highly nutritious root crop, is native to Central and South America and is often mistakenly called a yam.

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Temperate Taproots

Biennial plants in cool-temperate regions produce taproots that store carbohydrates during their first year, used for flowering and fruiting in the second year.

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What is endive?

Blanched young shoots of the Cichorium endivia plant.

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Carrot Family (Apiaceae)

The carrot (Daucus carota) and parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) are members of the Apiaceae family, known for their carbohydrates, spices, and herbs.

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What is Swiss chard?

A leafy variety of the beet plant.

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What is Asparagus?

A monocot species that was first cultivated in ancient Egypt.

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Beet Family (Amaranthaceae)

Beets (Beta vulgaris) are part of the Amaranthaceae family, with the sugar beet developed for its high sucrose content.

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What is the difference between green and white asparagus?

Green asparagus is harvested from shoots exposed to light, while white asparagus is grown underground and remains white.

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Mustard Family (Brassicaceae)

The Mustard Family (Brassicaceae) includes taproots like turnip, rutabaga, and radish, all valuable winter food sources in Europe.

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Study Notes

Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)

  • Botanical Information
    • Family: Burseraceae
    • Type of plant:
      • Woody plant
      • Typically a small tree
      • Perennial (lives for more than two years)
    • Native distribution: Arabian Peninsula (Oman, Yemen) and Africa (Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Northeast Kenya)

Commercial Use

  • Part used: Resin
  • Uses:
    • Flavoring agent in meat products, desserts, soft drinks, gum and sweets.
    • Fragrance in incense, cosmetics (mouthwash, soaps, perfumes)
  • Harvesting process:
    • Select mature, resin-rich trees.
    • Make incisions in the bark to encourage resin flow.
    • Collect the oozing resin droplets.
    • Allow the resin to harden into "tears".
  • Processing process:
    • Grade the resin tears based on quality.
    • Clean the resin to remove impurities.
    • Grind the resin into powder if needed.
    • Extract essential oils through distillation (optional).

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), a woody perennial plant from the Burseraceae family. Learn about its native distribution, harvesting, and processing techniques, as well as its diverse applications in flavoring and fragrance. This quiz will test your knowledge of this ancient resin and its modern-day uses.

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