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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of true roots?
What is the primary function of true roots?
Which of the following is an example of a bulb?
Which of the following is an example of a bulb?
Which type of underground plant part is characterized by swollen tips and 'buds'?
Which type of underground plant part is characterized by swollen tips and 'buds'?
Which vegetable category does asparagus belong to?
Which vegetable category does asparagus belong to?
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What is the origin of the important food bulbs in the genus Allium?
What is the origin of the important food bulbs in the genus Allium?
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What is unique about corms compared to bulbs?
What is unique about corms compared to bulbs?
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Which vegetable is classified under the category of tubers?
Which vegetable is classified under the category of tubers?
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What compound in bulbs causes eye irritation when cut?
What compound in bulbs causes eye irritation when cut?
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What characteristic makes members of the Mustard family particularly suited for growth in northern temperate regions?
What characteristic makes members of the Mustard family particularly suited for growth in northern temperate regions?
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Which of the following vegetables is a variety of Brassica oleracea?
Which of the following vegetables is a variety of Brassica oleracea?
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What part of the cauliflower plant is consumed?
What part of the cauliflower plant is consumed?
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Which vegetable is considered a significant product of the Amaranthaceae family?
Which vegetable is considered a significant product of the Amaranthaceae family?
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How is white asparagus produced?
How is white asparagus produced?
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Which family does the artichoke belong to?
Which family does the artichoke belong to?
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Which variety of Brassica rapa is commonly known as turnip?
Which variety of Brassica rapa is commonly known as turnip?
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Which vegetable is primarily known for its edible seed oil?
Which vegetable is primarily known for its edible seed oil?
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Which component contributes to the pungent odor and taste of mustards?
Which component contributes to the pungent odor and taste of mustards?
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What is the harvested part of bok choi?
What is the harvested part of bok choi?
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Which cultivar is developed from axillary buds of the primary stem?
Which cultivar is developed from axillary buds of the primary stem?
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Which vegetable is NOT a product of the Mustard family?
Which vegetable is NOT a product of the Mustard family?
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Which family includes vegetables like chicory and endive?
Which family includes vegetables like chicory and endive?
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What is the primary reason the potato became a staple crop in Ireland by 1800?
What is the primary reason the potato became a staple crop in Ireland by 1800?
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What caused the severe famine in Ireland in 1845?
What caused the severe famine in Ireland in 1845?
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Which of the following describes cassava?
Which of the following describes cassava?
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Which yam species is known for producing tubers weighing up to 20 kg?
Which yam species is known for producing tubers weighing up to 20 kg?
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What significant change occurred during the late 1700s regarding sugar production?
What significant change occurred during the late 1700s regarding sugar production?
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Which characteristic differentiates sweet potatoes from true yams?
Which characteristic differentiates sweet potatoes from true yams?
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What is the primary method of propagation for potatoes?
What is the primary method of propagation for potatoes?
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Which type of soil is essential for taro cultivation?
Which type of soil is essential for taro cultivation?
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What is a major disadvantage of growing potatoes with low genetic variation?
What is a major disadvantage of growing potatoes with low genetic variation?
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Which root vegetable is incorrectly associated with the term 'yam' in North America?
Which root vegetable is incorrectly associated with the term 'yam' in North America?
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What does the turnip primarily serve as in many regions?
What does the turnip primarily serve as in many regions?
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What significant factor influences the storage capability of taproots?
What significant factor influences the storage capability of taproots?
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What is a common method for preparing taro to make it safe for consumption?
What is a common method for preparing taro to make it safe for consumption?
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Study Notes
Vegetable Classification
- Vegetables are plant parts, excluding fruit.
- Two main categories: root (below-ground) and green (above-ground) crops.
- Root crops are harvested below-ground; include true roots and underground stems.
- True roots absorb and conduct water/nutrients.
- Taproots are large, swollen true roots for carbohydrate storage (e.g., carrot, turnip).
- Other underground stems also store carbs (bulbs, rhizomes, tubers, corms).
Root Crops
- Bulbs: Modified stems with basal scale leaves (onion, garlic).
- Rhizomes: Swollen, horizontal underground stems (ginger, liquorice).
- Tubers: Swollen, enlarged rhizome tips with buds (potato, yam).
- Corms: Enlarged, swollen stem bases (water chestnut, taro).
Major Root Crops: Bulbs
- Allium genus (monocot Daffodil family) is important.
- Includes onion, shallot, garlic, chives, Welsh onion, leeks - central Asian origin.
- Pungent flavor from volatile sulfur compounds (allicin).
Major Root Crops: Tubers
- Potato (Solanum tuberosum - eudicot, Solanaceae family), from Andes Mountains (Bolivia/Peru).
- Domesticated ~7,000 years ago; introduced to Europe by Spanish.
- Staple food source in Europe - high in carbohydrates; low protein.
- Introduced to British Isles (~1600s), became staple by 1800s.
- Vegetative propagation via “eyes” of tubers.
- 1845 potato blight (Phytophthora infestans) - devastating famine in Ireland (~1846-47).
- Many yam species (monocots) are important tubers in tropical regions.
- Yellow/white (Dioscorea cayenensis) important in West Africa.
- Water yam (Dioscorea alata) ancient Asian cultigen, up to 20 kg tubers.
- Cush-cush yam (Dioscorea trifida) small, yellow tubers, Central America.
Major Root Crops: Corms
- Taro (Colocasia esculenta - monocot) is a significant commercial corm.
- Likely originated in Indian subcontinent; cultivated in Southeast Asia.
- Staple carbohydrate source in tropical regions.
- Must be cooked to remove calcium oxalate crystals.
- Prepared similarly to potatoes; fermented taro paste (poi) popular.
Major Root Crops: Tropical True Roots
- Cassava (Manihot esculenta - tapioca or manioc - eudicot): tropical starchy root.
- Crucial starch source in tropics, especially Africa.
- Almost pure starch, minimal protein, vitamins, minerals.
- Contains poisonous cyanogenic glycosides that must be removed by processing.
- Processed into porridge, flatbread, toasted flour, or beer.
Major Root Crops: Tropical True Roots
- Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas - eudicot): Central and South America, domesticated ~4,500 y.a.
- Trailing vine, propagated by root or stem cuttings.
- High in starch, protein, vitamins, minerals.
- More susceptible to pathogens/insects than other roots.
- Often labeled as "yams" in supermarkets.
Major Root Crops: Temperate True Roots - Taproots
- Biennial species (two years) – common in cool-temperate regions.
- Taproots store carbohydrates first year, used for flowers/fruit second year.
- Harvested first year for carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals
- Economically important temperate taproots from three families: Carrot, Amaranth, Mustard.
Major Root Crops: Temperate Taproots - Carrot Family
- Carrot (Daucus carota) and parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) - European and Central Asian origin.
- Orange carrot cultivar developed in Holland (1600s).
Major Root Crops: Temperate Taproots - Amaranth Family
- Beet and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris): from wild sea-beet along the Mediterranean coast.
- Sugar beet (late 1700s) – important source of table sugar (reducing reliance on Caribbean cane sugar).
Major Root Crops: Temperate Taproots - Mustard Family
- Turnip (Brassica rapa), rutabaga (Brassica napus) – European origin and winter food crops.
- Radish (Raphanus sativus) – Eurasia origin widely grown; cultivars vary in size and pungency.
- Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) and wasabi (Wasabia japonica) – processed for condiments.
Major Green Vegetables
- Most from various plant families, focusing on economically important ones: Mustard, Sunflower.
- Mustard Family (Brassicaceae), Sunflower (Asteraceae), Carrot (Apiaceae), Amaranth.
Major Green Vegetables: Mustard Family
- Brassica oleracea – cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kohlrabi, kale.
- Brassica rapa– Bok choy, Chinese flowering cabbage, celery cabbage.
Major Green Vegetables: Sunflower Family
- Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) – Mediterranean origin.
- Cultivars vary – heading/iceberg, loose-leaf, cos/stiff-leaved.
- Other green vegetables from the Sunflower Family: endive, chicory, artichoke.
Major Green Vegetables: Carrot Family
- Celery (Apium graveolens) and Florence fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) use leaf petioles/stalks as green vegetables.
- Celeriac cultivar (celery root) is used as a root vegetable.
Major Green Vegetables: Amaranth/Goosefoot Family
- Swiss chard/beet greens (Beta vulgaris): leafy green vegetable variety of the beet.
- Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) – Southwest Asia origin; introduced to Europe during the Middle Ages.
Major Green Vegetables: Asparagus/Lily Family
- Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) – ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman cultivation.
- Popular again in Europe (1700s).
- Harvested as young stem shoots; green or white (blanched).
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Description
Test your knowledge on the classification of vegetables, focusing on root and green crops. Explore the characteristics and examples of major root crops including bulbs, rhizomes, tubers, and corms. This quiz will enhance your understanding of plant biology and vegetable varieties.
