Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Pineapple ( *Ananas comosus* ) is one of the most economically important berries, widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions globally. Originating in South America, it has become a significant fruit crop, valued for its unique flavor, nutritional benefits, and versatile applications. Beyond its culinary uses, pineapple finds applications in various industries, including textiles and pharmaceuticals. Understanding its botanical characteristics and morphology is crucial for optimizing cultivation practices and exploring its full potential. This answer will detail the uses, botanical classification, and morphological features of the useful parts of the pineapple plant.
Uses of Pineapple
Pineapple boasts a wide range of uses:
- Nutritional Value: Rich in Vitamin C, manganese, and bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties.
- Culinary Applications: Consumed fresh, canned, juiced, and used in various desserts, jams, and savory dishes.
- Industrial Uses: Pineapple fibers are extracted from leaves for textile production (Piña cloth in the Philippines).
- Pharmaceutical Applications: Bromelain is used in medicine as a digestive aid and anti-inflammatory agent.
- Animal Feed: Pineapple waste (peel, core) can be used as animal feed after proper processing.
Botanical Name and Family
The pineapple’s botanical classification is as follows:
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Ananas comosus |
| Family | Bromeliaceae |
| Order | Pocales |
| Common Name | Pineapple |
Morphology of Useful Parts
1. Fruit
The pineapple fruit is a multiple fruit (specifically a sorosis), formed from the fusion of many individual fruitlets.
- Shape: Typically cylindrical, varying in size and shape depending on the cultivar.
- Skin (Pericarp): Tough, waxy, and covered with hexagonal scales (eyes).
- Flesh: Juicy, fibrous, and yellow when ripe. Contains numerous vascular bundles.
- Core: A tough, fibrous central cylinder.
- Crown: A cluster of leaves at the top, used for vegetative propagation.
2. Leaves
Pineapple leaves are long, narrow, and lanceolate with spiny margins.
- Length: Can reach up to 30-100 cm in length.
- Width: 5-10 cm wide.
- Color: Green, often with reddish tinges.
- Fiber Content: High cellulose content, making them suitable for fiber extraction.
3. Stem (Pseudo-stem)
The pineapple stem is not a true stem but a compacted cluster of leaf bases, forming a pseudo-stem.
- Height: Typically 30-150 cm tall.
- Structure: Composed of tightly overlapping leaf sheaths.
- Roots: Adventitious roots emerge from the base of the pseudo-stem.
4. Flowers
Pineapple inflorescence is a compound spike.
- Structure: Small, purple flowers arranged spirally on a central stalk.
- Pollination: Primarily pollinated by hummingbirds and insects.
Conclusion
Pineapple, *Ananas comosus*, is a globally significant crop with diverse uses ranging from nutrition to industrial applications. Its unique morphology, particularly the multiple fruit structure and fiber-rich leaves, contributes to its economic value. Continued research into improved cultivars, efficient fiber extraction techniques, and novel applications of bromelain will further enhance the importance of this versatile plant in the future. Sustainable cultivation practices are also crucial to ensure long-term productivity and environmental responsibility.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.