1: What is the common name for the plant Stapelia hirsuta?
A: Starfish flower
B: Venus Flytrap
C: African Violet
D: Desert Rose
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The common name for Stapelia hirsuta is Starfish flower.
2: The Starfish flower belongs to which plant family?
A: Rosaceae
B: Poaceae
C: Apocynaceae
D: Asteraceae
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Starfish flower is a member of the Apocynaceae family.
3: In honor of whom was the genus Stapelia named?
A: Charles Darwin
B: Johannes van Stapel
C: Carl Linnaeus
D: Gregor Mendel
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The genus Stapelia was named after Johannes van Stapel.
4: What does the Latin species name “hirsuta” mean?
A: Spiky
B: Smooth
C: Hairy
D: Colorful
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Latin species name “hirsuta” means “hairy.”
5: How tall can the stems of the Starfish flower grow?
A: 10 cm
B: 20 cm
C: 30 cm
D: 40 cm
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The stems of the Starfish flower can grow up to 20 centimeters high.
6: What is the shape of the Starfish flower stems in cross-section?
A: Circular
B: Triangular
C: Subquadrangular
D: Hexagonal
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The stems of the Starfish flower are subquadrangular in cross-section.
7: How wide can the corolla of the Starfish flower reach?
A: 1-2 cm
B: 3-4 cm
C: 5-15 cm
D: 16-20 cm
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The corolla of the Starfish flower can reach up to 5–15 centimeters in width.
8: What kind of smell do the flowers of the Starfish flower emit?
A: Sweet
B: Minty
C: Carrion (rotting meat)
D: Citrus
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The flowers emit a carrion, or rotting meat, smell to attract pollinators.
9: During which time of the year does the Starfish flower bloom?
A: Spring
B: Summer
C: Late summer through late autumn
D: Winter
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Starfish flower blooms from late summer through late autumn.
10: In which regions is the Starfish flower native?
A: North America and Europe
B: South America and Australia
C: South Africa and southern Namibia
D: Asia and the Middle East
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Starfish flower is native to South Africa and southern Namibia.
11: What helps distinguish Starfish flower stems from other Stapelia species?
A: Flower color
B: Leaf shape
C: Concave grooves between the four angles
D: Height
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The concave grooves between the four angles of the stems help distinguish the Starfish flower.
12: What do the leaf rudiments of the Starfish flower measure?
A: 1-2 mm
B: 3-5 mm
C: 6-8 mm
D: 9-12 mm
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The leaf rudiments measure 1-2 mm.
13: The flowers of the Starfish flower closely resemble what?
A: Fresh blossoms
B: Rotting meat
C: Bright fruits
D: Water lilies
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The flowers of the Starfish flower resemble rotting meat.
14: What is a subspecies of the Starfish flower?
A: Stapelia baylissii
B: Stapelia maximus
C: Stapelia minor
D: Stapelia grandiflora
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: One of the subspecies is Stapelia baylissii.
15: Which part of Southern Africa is the Starfish flower absent from?
A: Coastal regions
B: Interior regions
C: Desert areas
D: Forested regions
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Starfish flower is absent from the interior of South Africa.
16: What is another common name for the Starfish flower?
A: Rainbow plant
B: Carrion plant
C: Dragon lily
D: Moonflower
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Another common name for the Starfish flower is Carrion plant.
17: How long are the stems of the Starfish flower typically?
A: Up to 10 cm
B: Up to 20 cm
C: Up to 30 cm
D: Up to 40 cm
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The stems of the Starfish flower typically grow up to 20 centimeters long.
18: What is the main color of the Starfish flower’s blooms?
A: Blue
B: Yellow
C: Dark-red
D: Green
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The blooms are dark-red in color.
19: Which feature is NOT used to describe the Starfish flower?
A: Rotting meat smell
B: Hairy stems
C: Concave grooves
D: Thorny leaves
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The Starfish flower does not have thorny leaves.
20: Where are Starfish flowers commonly found?
A: Urban areas
B: Wetlands
C: Arid regions
D: Polar zones
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: They are commonly found in arid regions.
21: Which aspect attracts flies to pollinate Starfish flowers?
A: Sweet fragrance
B: Bright colors
C: Carrion-like smell
D: Pollen sacs
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The carrion-like smell attracts flies for pollination.
22: The term “subquadrangular” applies to which part of the Starfish flower?
A: Leaves
B: Roots
C: Stems
D: Petals
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: “Subquadrangular” refers to the shape of the stems.
23: Which area marks the northern limit of the Starfish flower’s distribution?
A: Zimbabwe
B: Southern Namibia
C: Botswana
D: Mozambique
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Southern Namibia marks the northern limit of its distribution.
24: What is the genus of the Starfish flower?
A: Opuntia
B: Echinopsis
C: Stapelia
D: Helianthus
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The genus of the Starfish flower is Stapelia.
25: Which factor leads to the variable appearance of Starfish flower subspecies?
A: Soil type
B: Hydration levels
C: Air pressure
D: Sunlight exposure
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Differences in soil type lead to variable appearances.
26: What type of grooves run along the Starfish flower stems?
A: Parallel
B: Interlocking
C: Concave
D: Convex
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Concave grooves run along the stems.
27: Which pollinators are most attracted to the Starfish flower?
A: Bees
B: Butterflies
C: Flies
D: Hummingbirds
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Flies are the primary pollinators of the Starfish flower.
28: The Starfish flower’s hairy stems are referred to as:
A: Pubescent
B: Glabrous
C: Smooth
D: Shiny
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The stems are described as shortly pubescent.
29: What is the primary purpose of the carrion smell emitted by Starfish flowers?
A: Repel herbivores
B: Attract pollinators
C: Increase growth rates
D: Produce seeds
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The carrion smell serves to attract pollinators.
30: Which season’s rainfall supports the growth of Starfish flowers?
A: Summer
B: Spring
C: Winter
D: Autumn
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Winter rainfall supports the growth of Starfish flowers in their native habitat.
31: The Starfish flower primarily grows in which type of climate?
A: Arid
B: Tropical
C: Temperate
D: Polar
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The Starfish flower primarily grows in arid climates.
32: What is a distinctive feature of the Starfish flower’s corolla?
A: Bright purple color
B: Hairy surface
C: Smooth texture
D: Golden flecks
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The corolla has a hairy surface.
33: Starfish flower’s subspecies gariepensis is known for what?
A: Large leaves
B: Bright flowers
C: Variability
D: Thorny stems
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Gariepensis is particularly noted for its variability.
34: In which habitat does S. hirsuta typically NOT occur?
A: Wetlands
B: Sandy soils
C: Rocky regions
D: Arid zones
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: S. hirsuta typically does not occur in wetlands.
35: What is the common pollinator of the Starfish flower?
A: Ants
B: Butterflies
C: Flies
D: Wasps
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Flies commonly pollinate the Starfish flower.
36: Which physical aspect of S. hirsuta helps in identifying the species?
A: Flower shape
B: Root color
C: Leaf arrangement
D: Stem grooves
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The concave grooves in the stems help identify the species.
37: Which part of the Starfish flower has short pubescence?
A: Leaves
B: Petals
C: Stems
D: Roots
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The stems usually have short pubescence.
38: What is distinctive about the flowers of the genus Stapelia?
A: Sweet scent
B: Mimicry of rotting meat
C: Bright colors
D: Thorny texture
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The flowers mimic the scent of rotting meat.
39: What is the main function of the concave grooves on Starfish flower stems?
A: Store water
B: Assist pollinators
C: Distinguish species
D: Prevent decay
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The concave grooves help distinguish the species.
40: What does “hirsuta” in the species name Stapelia hirsuta refer to?
A: Hairy texture
B: Smoothness
C: Size
D: Scent
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: “Hirsuta” refers to the hairy texture of the plant.
41: What subspecies of Starfish flower is known for its purple mottling?
A: Stapelia baylissii
B: Stapelia gariepensis
C: Stapelia tsomoensis
D: Stapelia vetula
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Certain populations of S. hirsuta growing on sandstones show purple mottling.
42: What is the flowering period of the Starfish flower?
A: Early summer
B: Late summer through late autumn
C: Winter
D: Spring
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Starfish flower blooms from late summer through late autumn.
43: Which characteristic is unique to the stems of the Starfish flower?
A: Thorny surface
B: Hairless
C: Concave grooves
D: Extremely tall
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The concave grooves between the four angles are unique to the stems.
44: What color are the flowers of Stapelia hirsuta?
A: Bright yellow
B: Dark-red
C: Pale blue
D: White
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The flowers of Stapelia hirsuta are dark-red.
45: In which areas does the Starfish flower not naturally occur?
A: Coastal regions
B: Central Namibia
C: Southern edges of Karoo
D: Interior of South Africa
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The Starfish flower does not naturally occur in the interior of South Africa.
46: How are the subspecies of the Starfish flower identified?
A: By their fruit
B: By their height
C: By their flowers and stems
D: By their rooting structure
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The subspecies are identified by variations in their flowers and stems.
47: What is the primary coloration of the Starfish flower’s stems?
A: Green with purple mottling
B: Bright red
C: Yellow with stripes
D: Solid black
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The stems can have green with purple mottling.
48: Which plant genus does Stapelia hirsuta belong to?
A: Rosa
B: Dahlia
C: Stapelia
D: Fuchsia
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Stapelia hirsuta belongs to the genus Stapelia.
49: Starfish flowers emit a smell similar to what?
A: Citrus
B: Fresh blossoms
C: Rotting meat
D: Pine sap
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The flowers emit a smell similar to rotting meat.
50: Which subspecies of Starfish flower is considered especially variable?
A: Baylissii
B: Gariepensis
C: Tsomoensis
D: Vetula
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Gariepensis is particularly noted for its variability.
51: Where is Stapelia hirsuta endemic to?
A: Europe
B: North America
C: South Africa and southern Namibia
D: Australia
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Stapelia hirsuta is endemic to South Africa and southern Namibia.
52: How does the scent of the Starfish flower help in pollination?
A: Attracts butterflies
B: Attracts bees
C: Attracts flies by mimicking carrion
D: Repels other plants
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The smell of rotting meat attracts flies, aiding in pollination.
53: Which plant order does the Starfish flower belong to?
A: Asterales
B: Fabales
C: Gentianales
D: Poales
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Starfish flower belongs to the order Gentianales.
54: In what kind of soil do many Starfish flower populations grow?
A: Clay
B: Loam
C: Sandstone
D: Silt
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Many populations grow in sandstone.
55: What is another term used for the flowers of Stapelia hirsuta other than “Starfish flower”?
A: Carrion plant
B: Friendly cactus
C: Desert lily
D: Snow blossom
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Another term used is “Carrion plant.”
56: What is the common size range for Starfish flower leaf rudiments?
A: 1-2 mm
B: 3-4 mm
C: 5-6 mm
D: 7-8 mm
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The leaf rudiments are 1-2 mm in size.
57: How do the stems of hybrid Starfish flowers typically appear?
A: Variegated and thorny
B: Short and glabrous
C: Tall and twisted
D: Colorful and smooth
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hybrid stems can be short and glabrous.
58: Where in South Africa can Starfish flowers NOT be found?
A: Little Karoo
B: Robertson Karoo
C: Namaqualand
D: Central plateau
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: They cannot be found in the central plateau of South Africa.
59: What is the shape of the grooves that run along the stems of Stapelia hirsuta?
A: V-shaped
B: U-shaped
C: Concave
D: Convex
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The grooves are concave.
60: In which Clade is the Starfish flower found?
A: Bryophytes
B: Eudicots
C: Ferns
D: Gymnosperms
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Starfish flower is classified within the Clade Eudicots.