Question:

Which of the following shrubs are valued for ornamental bracts?
(A) Euphorbia pulcherrima
(B) Bougainvillea spectabilis
(C) Juniperus horizontalis
(D) Mussaenda frondosa
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Show Hint

Poinsettias are photoperiodic plants.
They require short days (long, uninterrupted dark nights of about 14 hours) to trigger the change in color of their top leaves into bright ornamental bracts.
  • (B), (C) and (D) only.
  • (A), (B) and (D) only.
  • (A), (B) and (C) only.
  • (A) and (C) only.
Show Solution
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Bracts are modified, often brightly colored leaves associated with reproductive structures.
In many ornamental shrubs, these colorful bracts serve as the primary visual attraction instead of the actual flowers, which are often small and inconspicuous.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

- (A) Euphorbia pulcherrima (Poinsettia): Valued for its large, brightly colored (typically red, pink, or white) bracts.
The actual flowers are small, yellow, and located in the center of these showy bracts. Thus, (A) is correct.
- (B) Bougainvillea spectabilis: Valued for its papery, highly vibrant bracts (ranging from magenta and purple to orange and white).
These bracts surround the small, tubular, cream-colored flowers. Thus, (B) is correct.
- (C) Juniperus horizontalis (Creeping Juniper): A low-growing, coniferous, evergreen gymnosperm.
It does not produce flowers or ornamental bracts. Thus, (C) is incorrect.
- (D) Mussaenda frondosa (Wild Mussaenda): Famous for its large, showy, leaf-like, pure white sepals.
These sepals function visually as ornamental bracts, contrasting with the small, orange-red flowers. Thus, (D) is correct.
Evaluating the choices, shrubs (A), (B), and (D) are valued for their ornamental bracts/sepals.

Step 3: Final Answer:

The shrubs valued for ornamental bracts are (A) Euphorbia pulcherrima, (B) Bougainvillea spectabilis, and (D) Mussaenda frondosa, corresponding to option (B).
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