1: What is the common name for shrubs belonging to the genus Spiraea?
A: Roses
B: Meadowsweets
C: Lilies
D: Carnations
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Spiraea shrubs are commonly known as meadowsweets or steeplebushes.
2: In which family are Spiraea shrubs classified?
A: Rosaceae
B: Asteraceae
C: Fabaceae
D: Lamiaceae
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Spiraea belongs to the Rosaceae family.
3: How many species of Spiraea are there approximately?
A: 50-60
B: 80-100
C: 120-140
D: 150-170
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The genus Spiraea consists of about 80 to 100 species.
4: Where is the greatest diversity of Spiraea species found?
A: North America
B: South America
C: Eastern Asia
D: Western Europe
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Eastern Asia has the greatest diversity of Spiraea species.
5: Formerly, which genera included herbaceous species that were part of Spiraea?
A: Filipendula and Aruncus
B: Ranunculus and Dianthus
C: Chrysanthemum and Echinacea
D: Papaver and Allium
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Herbaceous species previously included in Spiraea are now segregated into the genera Filipendula and Aruncus.
6: What is the leaf arrangement on Spiraea shrubs?
A: Opposite
B: Whorled
C: Spiralling, alternate
D: Basal rosette
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The leaves of Spiraea shrubs are arranged in a spiralling, alternate fashion.
7: How long are the leaves of most Spiraea species?
A: 1-2 cm
B: 2.5-10 cm
C: 10-15 cm
D: 15-20 cm
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The leaves of most Spiraea species are about 2.5 to 10 centimetres long.
8: How are the flowers of Spiraea shrubs usually arranged?
A: Singularly
B: In dense panicles, umbrella-like corymbs, or grape-like clusters
C: In catkins
D: In spike-like racemes
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The flowers of Spiraea shrubs are usually clustered together in dense panicles, umbrella-like corymbs, or grape-like clusters.
9: How many stamens does each flower of Spiraea typically have?
A: 5-10
B: 15-60
C: 100-120
D: 200-300
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Each flower of Spiraea typically has 15 to 60 stamens.
10: What type of fruit does Spiraea produce?
A: Drupe
B: Berry
C: Aggregate of follicles
D: Capsule
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The fruit of Spiraea is an aggregate of follicles.
11: Which birds eat the leaves of Spiraea betulifolia in spring?
A: Sparrows
B: Blue jays
C: Blue grouse
D: Robins
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The leaves of Spiraea betulifolia are eaten by blue grouse in spring.
12: During which season do deer browse on Spiraea?
A: Winter
B: Spring
C: Summer
D: Autumn
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Deer browse on Spiraea during summer.
13: Which Native American groups are known to have eaten Spiraea betulifolia?
A: Inuit
B: Hopi
C: Cherokee
D: Various Native American groups
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Various Native American groups ate the species Spiraea betulifolia.
14: For what purpose are many species of Spiraea used in temperate climates?
A: Medicine
B: Ornamental plants
C: Cooking
D: Construction materials
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Many species of Spiraea are used as ornamental plants for their showy clusters of dense flowers.
15: Which award has Spiraea ‘Arguta’ won?
A: Nobel Prize
B: Turner Prize
C: Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit
D: Booker Prize
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Spiraea ‘Arguta’ has won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
16: What essential component do Spiraea plants contain that is related to a common medication?
A: Caffeine
B: Salicylates
C: Nicotine
D: Quinine
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Spiraea plants contain salicylates, which led to the development of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).
17: What does the “a-” in “aspirin” signify?
A: Agonist
B: Antagonist
C: Acetylation
D: Alkylation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The “a-” in “aspirin” refers to acetylation.
18: What is the German word referenced in the etymology of “aspirin”?
A: Spirusäure
B: Aspirinwurzel
C: Heilkraut
D: Spirsäure
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The word “aspirin” originates from the German word “Spirsäure,” which refers to Spiraea.
19: What medicinal use do Native Americans attribute to Spiraea betulifolia?
A: Headache relief
B: Treating fevers
C: Reducing abdominal pain
D: Soothing skin conditions
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Native Americans use Spiraea betulifolia for reducing abdominal pain and making it into a tea.
20: Which Spiraea species is used historically by the Blackfoot tribe for treating venereal conditions?
A: Spiraea betulifolia
B: Spiraea douglasii
C: Spiraea splendens
D: Spiraea thunbergii
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Blackfoot tribe uses Spiraea splendens root to treat venereal conditions.
21: What non-medicinal use did Native Americans find for Spiraea douglasii?
A: Making baskets
B: Constructing shelters
C: Making brooms
D: Crafting weapons
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Native Americans used Spiraea douglasii for making brooms and hanging seafood to cook.
22: Which Spiraea species is also known as Japanese spiraea?
A: Spiraea alba
B: Spiraea japonica
C: Spiraea thunbergii
D: Spiraea betulifolia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Spiraea japonica is commonly known as Japanese spiraea.
23: What hybrid of Spiraea is known as Van Houtte’s spiraea?
A: Spiraea × multiflora
B: Spiraea × cinerea
C: Spiraea × vanhouttei
D: Spiraea × arguta
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Spiraea × vanhouttei is a hybrid known as Van Houtte’s spiraea.
24: Which Spiraea species is recognized for its use in constructing pyramidal arrangements?
A: Spiraea trichocarpa
B: Spiraea × nudiflora
C: Spiraea × pyramidata
D: Spiraea × brachybotrys
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Spiraea × pyramidata is known for its pyramid-like arrangements.
25: Spiraea × fontenaysii is a hybrid of which two Spiraea species?
A: Spiraea canescens and Spiraea salicifolia
B: Spiraea crenata and Spiraea hypericifolia
C: Spiraea cana and Spiraea chamaedryfolia
D: Spiraea japonica and Spiraea latifolia
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Spiraea × fontenaysii is a hybrid of Spiraea canescens and Spiraea salicifolia.
26: Which Spiraea plant is used for hanging seafood to cook?
A: Spiraea douglasii
B: Spiraea betulifolia
C: Spiraea splendens
D: Spiraea japonica
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Native Americans used Spiraea douglasii for hanging seafood to cook.
27: What type of symmetry do the flowers of Spiraea shrubs typically exhibit?
A: Bilateral symmetry
B: Radial symmetry
C: Asymmetry
D: Spiral symmetry
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Spiraea flowers typically exhibit radial symmetry.
28: Which Spiraea species is also known as steeplebush?
A: Spiraea prunifolia
B: Spiraea alba
C: Spiraea douglasii
D: Spiraea thunbergii
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Spiraea douglasii is also known as steeplebush.
29: Which Spiraea hybrid is a result of crossing S. japonica with S. albiflora?
A: Spiraea × blanda
B: Spiraea × brachybotrys
C: Spiraea × bumalda
D: Spiraea × notha
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Spiraea × bumalda is a hybrid between S. japonica and S. albiflora.
30: What color are the petals of Spiraea flowers usually?
A: Blue
B: Yellow
C: White, pink, or reddish
D: Green
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The petals of Spiraea flowers are usually white, pink, or reddish.
31: Which Lepidoptera species uses Spiraea as a food plant for its larvae?
A: Monarch butterfly
B: Small emperor moth
C: Saturniid moth
D: Gypsy moth
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The small emperor moth is one of the Lepidoptera species whose larvae feed on Spiraea.
32: During which season do some species of Spiraea bloom?
A: Autumn
B: Winter
C: Spring or midsummer
D: Late winter
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Some species of Spiraea bloom in the spring, while others bloom in midsummer.
33: Which award-winning Spiraea cultivar is known as ‘Grefsheim’?
A: Spiraea × cinerea
B: Spiraea ‘Arguta’
C: Spiraea ‘Gold Mound’
D: Spiraea ‘Magic Carpet’
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Spiraea × cinerea ‘Grefsheim’ has won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
34: What do the leaves of Spiraea shrubs lack?
A: Stipules
B: Venation
C: Midrib
D: Cuticle
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The leaves of Spiraea shrubs lack stipules.
35: Which characteristic is typical of Spiraea leaves?
A: Smooth margins
B: Toothed margins
C: Hairy surface
D: Thorny margins
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The margins of Spiraea leaves are usually toothed.
36: Which Spiraea species is also known as bridewort?
A: Spiraea tomentosa
B: Spiraea prunifolia
C: Spiraea salicifolia
D: Spiraea thunbergii
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Spiraea salicifolia is also known as bridewort.
37: Which native American group uses Spiraea splendens root medicinally?
A: Navajo
B: Iroquois
C: Blackfoot
D: Apache
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Blackfoot use Spiraea splendens root for medicinal purposes.
38: What hybrid of Spiraea is formed by crossing S. crenata with S. media?
A: Spiraea × macrothyrsa
B: Spiraea × foxii
C: Spiraea × pikoviensis
D: Spiraea × semperflorens
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Spiraea × pikoviensis is a hybrid of Spiraea crenata and Spiraea media.
39: What is one of the traditional uses of Spiraea betulifolia by Native Americans?
A: Poison antidote
B: Headache treatment
C: Abdominal pain relief
D: Insomnia cure
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Native Americans use Spiraea betulifolia for abdominal pain relief.
40: Which feature is absent in Spiraea flowers?
A: Stamens
B: Sepals
C: Petals
D: Stipules
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Spiraea flowers lack stipules.
41: Which Spiraea species is called the narrow-leaved meadowsweet?
A: Spiraea alba
B: Spiraea japonica
C: Spiraea douglasii
D: Spiraea prunifolia
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Spiraea alba is known as the narrow-leaved meadowsweet.
42: What use did Native Americans have for Spiraea douglasii besides making brooms?
A: Weaving clothing
B: Creating decorations
C: Hanging seafood to cook
D: Building shelters
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Native Americans used Spiraea douglasii for hanging seafood to cook.
43: Which hybrid Spiraea has S. japonica and S. latifolia as parent species?
A: Spiraea × pyramidata
B: Spiraea × conspicua
C: Spiraea × macrothyrsa
D: Spiraea × gieseleriana
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Spiraea × conspicua is a hybrid of Spiraea japonica and Spiraea latifolia.
44: How are the flowers of Spiraea usually described?
A: Solitary and large
B: Dense clusters of small flowers
C: Spiky and elongated
D: Few and scattered
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Spiraea flowers are usually dense clusters of small flowers.
45: What hybrid of Spiraea is known as Grefsheim?
A: Spiraea × cinerea
B: Spiraea ‘Arguta’
C: Spiraea ‘Goldflame’
D: Spiraea ‘Magic Carpet’
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Spiraea × cinerea ‘Grefsheim’ is an award-winning hybrid.
46: What region is home to the greatest diversity of Spiraea species?
A: Arctic Tundra
B: Eastern Asia
C: Southern Africa
D: Central Europe
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Eastern Asia is home to the greatest diversity of Spiraea species.
47: Which feature is characteristic of Spiraea plant leaves?
A: Smooth and glossy
B: Toothed margins
C: Lobed and hairy
D: Needle-like
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Spiraea plant leaves often have toothed margins.
48: What type of plant is Spiraea classified as?
A: Herbaceous perennial
B: Hardy, deciduous-leaved shrubs
C: Evergreen shrub
D: Climbing vine
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Spiraea is classified as a hardy, deciduous-leaved shrub.
49: What is the etymology of the “spirin” in “aspirin” drawn from?
A: The genus Spiraea
B: The Latin word for breath
C: The Greek word for spiral
D: The ancient Egyptian word for medicine
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The term “spirin” in “aspirin” comes from the genus Spiraea, which contains salicylates.
50: Which Spiraea hybrid has won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit?
A: Spiraea × vanhouttei
B: Spiraea ‘Arguta’
C: Spiraea japonica ‘Goldflame’
D: Spiraea × cinerea ‘Grefsheim’
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Spiraea × cinerea ‘Grefsheim’ has won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
51: What characterizes the flowers of most Spiraea species?
A: Three petals
B: Six sepals
C: Fivefold radial symmetry
D: Two pistils
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The flowers of most Spiraea species have a fivefold radial symmetry.
52: Which Spiraea species is known for having lanceolate leaves?
A: Spiraea alba
B: Spiraea douglasii
C: Spiraea japonica
D: Spiraea betulifolia
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Spiraea betulifolia typically has lanceolate leaves.
53: What award has the Spiraea cultivar ‘Arguta’ received?
A: Nobel Prize
B: Pulitzer Prize
C: Academy Award
D: Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The Spiraea cultivar ‘Arguta’ has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
54: What is the scientific classification genus for Spiraea?
A: L.
B: Rosaceae
C: Amygdaloideae
D: Spiraeeae
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The genus for Spiraea is classified as “L.”
55: Which Spiraea species do blue grouse feed on in the spring?
A: Spiraea prunifolia
B: Spiraea salicifolia
C: Spiraea betulifolia
D: Spiraea japonica
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Blue grouse feed on the leaves of Spiraea betulifolia in the spring.
56: Which hybrid Spiraea is known as pyramid spiraea?
A: Spiraea × pyramidata
B: Spiraea × nudiflora
C: Spiraea × virdiflora
D: Spiraea × canescens
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Spiraea × pyramidata is known as pyramid spiraea.
57: What type of inflorescence do Spiraea shrubs typically have?
A: Spikes
B: Umbrella-like corymbs
C: Single blooms
D: Catkins
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Spiraea shrubs typically have inflorescences that are umbrella-like corymbs.
58: What coloration do the petals of Spiraea flowers most commonly have?
A: Blue
B: Orange
C: White, pink, or reddish
D: Yellow
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The petals of Spiraea flowers are most commonly white, pink, or reddish.
59: Which Spiraea species was traditionally used by Native Americans for making tea to relieve pain?
A: Spiraea tomentosa
B: Spiraea alba
C: Spiraea betulifolia
D: Spiraea prunifolia
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Native Americans traditionally used Spiraea betulifolia to make tea that relieved abdominal pain.
60: Which Spiraea species is also known as hardhack?
A: Spiraea alba
B: Spiraea thunbergii
C: Spiraea tomentosa
D: Spiraea douglasii
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Spiraea tomentosa is also known as hardhack.