1: What is the common name for Plectranthus verticillatus that is often mistaken for a different type of plant?
A: Swedish ivy
B: African violet
C: English ivy
D: German begonia
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Despite being called “Swedish ivy,” this plant is not related to the true ivy family.
2: Which characteristic of Swedish ivy leaves makes them unique?
A: Furry undersides
B: Purple spots
C: Glossy appearance
D: Striped veins
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The leaves of Swedish ivy are known for their glossy, green appearance.
3: What color can be seen in the center of some Swedish ivy leaves?
A: Blue
B: Red
C: Purple
D: Yellow
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: These leaves sometimes show a deep purple color in the center.
4: What is the height range of Swedish ivy?
A: 20-40 cm
B: 10-30 cm
C: 50-70 cm
D: 5-15 cm
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Swedish ivy typically reaches a height of between 10 and 30 cm.
5: How wide can Swedish ivy spread?
A: 20 cm
B: 60 cm
C: 100 cm
D: 150 cm
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The plant can extend horizontally around 60 cm.
6: What color can the stems and undersides of Swedish ivy leaves appear?
A: Yellow
B: Orange
C: White
D: Purple
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Both the stems and undersides of the leaves can show a deep purple color.
7: What do the upright racemes of Swedish ivy typically look like?
A: Yellow clusters
B: Red singles
C: White, pale violet, or pale pink groups
D: Blue spikes
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The plant produces upright racemes that appear white, pale violet, or pale pink.
8: During which seasons do Swedish ivy flowers usually bloom?
A: Winter and summer
B: Spring and late autumn
C: Summer and autumn
D: Winter and spring
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Flowers typically sprout in spring and late autumn.
9: How large are the fruits of Swedish ivy?
A: 1 mm
B: 10 mm
C: 1 cm
D: 2 cm
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The fruits are tiny, measuring about 1 mm.
10: What is the texture of Swedish ivy fruits?
A: Smooth and shiny
B: Rough and wrinkled
C: Furry and soft
D: Hard and spiky
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The fruits are brown and wrinkled.
11: Swedish ivy is incorrectly referred to as an ivy because it is not which type of plant?
A: Epiphyte
B: Clonal
C: Thigmotropic
D: Ephemeral
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Swedish ivy is not thigmotropic, meaning it does not cling to walls with its roots.
12: What plant family is Swedish ivy closely related to?
A: Hedera (ivy)
B: Lamiaceae (mint)
C: Rosaceae (rose)
D: Asteraceae (daisy)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Swedish ivy belongs to the Lamiaceae family, also known as the mint family.
13: What is the leaf shape of Swedish ivy?
A: Linear
B: Rounded
C: Lanceolate
D: Palmate
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The leaves are fleshy and rounded.
14: How long can Swedish ivy leaves be?
A: 20-30 mm
B: 40-50 mm
C: 64-90 mm
D: 100-120 mm
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The leaves range from 64 to 90 mm in length.
15: Where does the deep purple color appear on Swedish ivy apart from the leaves’ centers?
A: On the flowers
B: On the roots
C: On the stems
D: On the seeds
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The deep purple color can also be found on the plant stems.
16: What sensory quality do Swedish ivy leaves have?
A: Aromatic
B: Bitter
C: Tasteless
D: Stinky
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The leaves of Swedish ivy are aromatic.
17: Where is Swedish ivy native to?
A: North America
B: Southern Africa
C: Northern Europe
D: Southeast Asia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Swedish ivy is native to southern Africa.
18: Which areas in southern Africa are native habitats for Swedish ivy?
A: Cape Provinces, KwaZulu-Natal, Eswatini, Northern Provinces, and southern Mozambique
B: Egyptian Nile Delta
C: Western Sahara Desert
D: Moroccan Atlas Mountains
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: These regions in southern Africa are natural habitats for Swedish ivy.
19: In which countries has Swedish ivy been naturalized outside of its native range?
A: El Salvador, Honduras, Leeward Islands, Venezuela Antilles, Windward Islands, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Hawaii
B: Canada, Russia, Japan, Australia
C: India, Pakistan, China, South Korea
D: France, Germany, Italy, Spain
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Swedish ivy has been naturalized in these regions.
20: Where in Australia is Swedish ivy naturalized?
A: South Australia and Tasmania
B: New South Wales and Queensland
C: Victoria and Western Australia
D: Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Swedish ivy is found naturalized in southeast Queensland and coastal areas of New South Wales.
21: What type of environment does Swedish ivy prefer for optimal growth?
A: Direct sunlight
B: Indirect sunlight
C: Full shade
D: Underwater
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Swedish ivy thrives in indirect sunlight.
22: How is Swedish ivy commonly cultivated indoors?
A: As ground cover
B: Hanging houseplant
C: Vertical garden
D: Potted on top of a shelf
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Swedish ivy is mostly cultivated as a hanging houseplant.
23: How does Swedish ivy respond to pruning?
A: It stops growing
B: It wilts
C: It grows more vigorously
D: No response
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Swedish ivy responds well to pruning, promoting further growth.
24: How difficult is it to root new Swedish ivy plants from cuttings?
A: Very difficult
B: Moderately difficult
C: Fairly easy
D: Impossible
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Swedish ivy can easily be rooted from cuttings.
25: What common garden pest can infest a weakened Swedish ivy plant?
A: Aphids
B: Spider mites
C: Caterpillars
D: Beetles
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Spider mites can infest a weak Swedish ivy plant.
26: Where in the White House can a notable specimen of Swedish ivy be found?
A: Rose Garden
B: Oval Office mantel
C: East Room window
D: South Lawn fountain
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A notable specimen of Swedish ivy is found above the mantel in the Oval Office.
27: Who originally received the Swedish ivy plant as a gift that is now in the Oval Office?
A: President Franklin D. Roosevelt
B: President John F. Kennedy
C: President Ronald Reagan
D: President George W. Bush
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The plant was a gift to President John F. Kennedy in 1961.
28: What year was the Swedish ivy plant originally gifted to the President of the United States?
A: 1953
B: 1961
C: 1975
D: 1989
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The plant was gifted in 1961.
29: How often can Swedish ivy flowers sprout throughout the year?
A: Only in the winter
B: Sporadically throughout the year
C: Only in the summer
D: Every two years
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The flowers can sprout sporadically throughout the year.
30: What is one visual use of Swedish ivy in home gardening?
A: As a vertical garden plant
B: As ground cover
C: On a window sill
D: In a water garden
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: In frost-free areas, Swedish ivy is often used as ground cover in gardens.
31: What is one feature of Swedish ivy that makes it convenient for distribution?
A: Fast-growing seeds
B: Clipping propagation
C: Spore dispersal
D: Bulb formation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Swedish ivy can be easily distributed through clippings.
32: How are White House aides and other workers connected to the famous Swedish ivy plant?
A: They are allowed to grow clippings of the plant
B: They study its genetics
C: They water it weekly
D: They photograph it for records
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Interns, aides, and other workers are often given clippings to grow and share.
33: What shape are the bracts that accompany Swedish ivy flowers?
A: Triangular
B: Oval
C: Lanceolate
D: Round
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The bracts are lanceolate in shape.
34: How many flowers typically form on each verticillaster of Swedish ivy?
A: 1-2
B: 2-4
C: 5-6
D: 7-8
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Each verticillaster typically has 2-4 flowers.
35: What is the typical height of the bracts on Swedish ivy flowers?
A: 1-2 mm
B: 2-3 mm
C: 3-4 mm
D: 4-5 mm
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The bracts are about 2-3 mm tall.
36: What is the exotic nickname mentioned for Swedish ivy in regions of KwaZulu-Natal?
A: African parlor ivy
B: Variegated silver plectranthus
C: Coastal emerald vine
D: Cascade lavender
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Some variegated, silvery plants called Swedish Ivy in these regions are actually Plectranthus oertendahlii.
37: Apart from being an indoor plant, what other landscape use does Swedish ivy have in frost-free areas?
A: Hanging baskets
B: Garden border
C: Foundation plant
D: Green roof
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: It is frequently used in hanging baskets.
38: What specific environmental condition helps Swedish ivy avoid infestation by spider mites?
A: High humidity
B: Full sun exposure
C: Dry soil
D: Cold temperatures
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Keeping the plant in high humidity helps prevent spider mite infestation.
39: Which notable event is linked to the gift of the Swedish ivy to President Kennedy?
A: Apollo 11 Moon Landing
B: Bay of Pigs Invasion
C: Cuban Missile Crisis
D: Berlin Wall Construction
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The plant was gifted the same year as the Cuban Missile Crisis, making it a notable part of history.
40: How are the flowers of Swedish ivy arranged?
A: In a flat cluster
B: In a verticillaster
C: In single blooms
D: In a crown shape
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Flowers are arranged in verticillasters.
41: Which part of the Swedish ivy plant shows a deep purple color aside from leaves?
A: Fruits
B: Petals
C: Stem
D: Roots
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The plant stems can show deep purple color.
42: What shape are the Swedish ivy’s fruits?
A: Rounded
B: Oblong
C: Triangular
D: Elliptical
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The fruits are round, like tiny nuts.
43: What structure of the Swedish ivy plant is aromatic?
A: Roots
B: Leaves
C: Petals
D: Seeds
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The leaves of Swedish ivy are aromatic.
44: Which of these regions is NOT a native habitat for Swedish ivy?
A: Cape Provinces
B: Eswatini
C: Southern Mozambique
D: Scandinavian Peninsula
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The Swedish ivy is not native to Scandinavia.
45: How are the leaves of Swedish ivy primarily described in terms of texture and appearance?
A: Glossy and serrated
B: Matte and smooth
C: Fuzzy and pointed
D: Brittle and rough
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The leaves are notably glossy and widely serrated.
46: What feature allows Swedish ivy to be easily propagated?
A: Seeds
B: Cuttings
C: Spores
D: Rhizomes
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: It can easily be rooted with cuttings.
47: Which environment would NOT be suitable for Swedish ivy growth?
A: Hanging basket indoors
B: Ground cover in a frost-free garden
C: Arid desert
D: Indirect sunlight
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Swedish ivy prefers moist environments and would not thrive in arid, desert conditions.
48: What is the suitable action for maintaining a healthy Swedish ivy?
A: Avoid pruning
B: Keep in direct sunlight
C: Ensure constant humidity
D: Let dry completely between waterings
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Keeping the plant in high humidity helps it stay healthy.
49: What is the common mistaken trait attributed to Swedish ivy in its name?
A: Its flower color
B: Its scent
C: Its growth habits
D: Its native region
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: “Swedish ivy” is misleading as the plant does not climb or cling like true ivy.
50: What unique tradition involves the Swedish ivy in the Oval Office?
A: Annual repotting ceremony
B: Staff receive clippings
C: Monthly photoshoots
D: Bi-yearly leaf poll
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Interns, aides, and other White House workers are often given clippings to grow.
51: Which two parts of the Swedish ivy have reddish sessile glands?
A: Stems and bracts
B: Flowers and fruits
C: Leaves and stems
D: Roots and seeds
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The leaves and stems have reddish sessile glands.
52: Who often receives clippings of the Oval Office Swedish ivy?
A: Foreign dignitaries
B: White House chefs
C: Interns and aides
D: Visiting school children
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Interns and aides often receive clippings.
53: By what other common name is Swedish ivy known?
A: Brazilian vine
B: Japanese fern
C: Swedish begonia
D: African daisy
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: It is also known as Swedish begonia.
54: How are the leaves of Swedish ivy distributed on the stems?
A: Alternately
B: Oppositely
C: Spirally
D: Verticillately
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The leaves are often found in a whorled or verticillate pattern.
55: What color are the seeds of Swedish ivy?
A: Black
B: White
C: Brown
D: Green
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The seeds are brown.
56: How are Swedish ivy’s flowers typically described?
A: Large and showy
B: Brightly colored
C: Small and pale
D: Thick and odorless
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The flowers are small and can be white, pale violet, or pale pink.
57: What type of soil does Swedish ivy prefer?
A: Sandy
B: Clayey
C: Loamy and well-drained
D: Rocky
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Swedish ivy grows best in loamy and well-drained soil.
58: What maintenance activity does Swedish ivy particularly thrive on?
A: Regular feeding
B: Constantly wet soil
C: Pruning
D: Complete darkness
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Swedish ivy thrives when regularly pruned.
59: What type of plant family does Swedish ivy belong to?
A: Liliaceae
B: Lamiaceae
C: Poaceae
D: Asteraceae
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Swedish ivy belongs to the Lamiaceae family, also known as the mint family.
60: What is the botanical genus of Swedish ivy?
A: Hedera
B: Begonia
C: Plectranthus
D: Viola
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The botanical genus of Swedish ivy is Plectranthus.