Which of the following is obtained from rhizomes ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:
Turmeric and Ginger. A rhizome is a type of modified, horizontal underground stem that is chiefly responsible for vegetative propagation and serves as a storage organ for food reserves in the plant. Both turmeric (Curcuma longa) and ginger (Zingiber officinale), which belong to the Zingiberaceae family, are classic and textbook examples of these fleshy, subterranean stems. The key botanical evidence that classifies them as stems rather than true roots is the clear presence of nodes, internodes, and dormant auxiliary buds, which are visible as rings and slight depressions on their surface, and are the points from which new shoots and roots emerge. When we consume turmeric and ginger, we are therefore utilizing the plant's nutrient-rich underground stem, making them correct examples of products derived from rhizomes.

The incorrect option is 1:
Clove and Saffron. This option is incorrect because both components are derived from parts of the plant other than a rhizome. Clove is botanically classified as the dried, unopened flower bud of the clove tree (*Syzygium aromaticum*), and is harvested before anthesis (flowering) to preserve its strong aromatic oil content. Saffron, often called the world's most expensive spice, is obtained from the dried stigmas and styles of the *Crocus sativus* flower, which are the slender, thread-like reproductive structures. Moreover, the *Crocus* plant itself grows from a corm, which is a solid, vertically compressed underground stem, differentiating it from a horizontal rhizome.

The incorrect option is 3:
Turmeric and Saffron. Although Turmeric is correctly identified as a product derived from a rhizome, the inclusion of Saffron makes this option an incorrect match for the question. Saffron is not a rhizome but a part of the flower—specifically, the stigma and style. This fundamental difference in their botanical source—a vegetative stem for turmeric versus a reproductive floral part for saffron—invalidates the pairing. Therefore, while half of the answer is correct, the collective group does not consist *exclusively* of products obtained from rhizomes.

The incorrect option is 4:
Clove and Ginger. This option is also partially correct, as Ginger is an excellent example of a commercially used rhizome. However, the presence of Clove, which is a dried flower bud, disqualifies the pair as a whole. For an answer to be correct in this context, all items listed must be obtained from the specified plant part, which is the rhizome. Since Clove is a reproductive floral structure and not a modified stem, the entire option cannot be selected as the correct group.