Question

Bhoj patra is obtained from
A) Betula
B) Salix
C) Marus
D) Tectona

Answer 1

The name was given in Prodromus Florae Nepalensis in 1825 by the botanist David Don, from specimens collected in Nepal in 1820 by Nathaniel Wallich. It is native to the Western Himalayas and is a deciduous shrub.

Complete answer:
First we should know about Bhoj patra to answer this question. In indigenous habitat, Bhoj patra continues to make forests, growing up to 20 m (66 ft) tall as a tree or shrub. Among scattered conifers, it sometimes rises, with an undergrowth of shrubs that usually contain evergreen Rhododendron. Instead of monsoon rains, the tree relies on moisture from snowmelt. Due to the stress of the deep winter snow in the Himalaya, they seem to have very curved growth.
Now, let us find the solution from the options-

The scientific name of Bhojpatra is Betula utilis. It is also called the Birch of the Himalayas. It is a native Himalayan birch tree rising at elevations of up to 4,500 m. Bhoj patra is a bark belonging to Betula utilis.
Willows are also known as osiers and sallows form the genus Salix. Thus, the option B is incorrect.
Archaeologist Zvi Ilan suggested that Marus could be associated with the town of Meroth on the basis of the archaeological results and the name Marus. Thus, the option C is incorrect.
The scientific name for Teak is Tectona grandis, which is a species of tropical hardwood tree in the Lamiaceae family. Thus, the option D is incorrect.

Thus, the correct answer is option ‘A’ i.e, Betula.

Note: The white, paper-like bark of the Bhoj patra tree was used for writing Sanskrit scriptures and texts in ancient times. For the writing of holy mantras, it is now used as paper, with the bark inserted in an amulet and worn for defence.