Question

What is the botanical name of sugarcane?
(a) Saccharum munja
(b) Saccharum spontaneum
(c) Saccharum officinarum
(d) None of the above

Answer 1

Botanical name of any plant is its binomial name represented by the genus as the first word and specific epithet as the second word. It is also considered a scientific name that is universally accepted and does not change from scientist to scientist.

Complete answer:
Genus Saccharum belongs to the grass family in which officinarum represent species of sugarcane which have long and stout stalks rich in sugar. Sugarcane originated in New Guinea and is now cultivated in more than 50 countries which fulfill 70% of the world demand for sugar. India and Brazil lead to high production of sugar nearly half of the production of sugarcane are done by both of these countries. Another species of sugar is Saccharum barberi which has low sugar content due to thin stem, it is also known as Indian cane because it is mostly found in India.

Additional Information: Saccharum munja is commonly called munja grass found in arid areas in India. Grasses of this plant are tall and greenish-brown. It consists of cellulose, lignin, and pentosome. It is mainly used for medicinal purposes to cure burning sensation, burning urination, and for blood impurity. Its fiber is also used for making ropes.
Saccharum spontaneum is a perennial long grass found in India. It is also known as wild sugarcane in which sugar content is low and fiber content is high. It can harm other crop productivity by spreading its rhizome and seed at a fast rate, but it helps to prevent soil erosion.
So, the correct answer is the ‘ Saccharum officinarum ’.

Note: In the case of a binomial name, different species have a different name, more than one species cannot be represented by a name. The binomial name is represented by dead language Latin and Greek that's why it is impossible to change the meaning of the given name.