1: What is the common name for the plant known botanically as Sweet potato vine?
A: Manroot
B: Wild potato vine
C: Man of the earth
D: All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Sweet potato vine is also commonly known as manroot, wild potato vine, and man of the earth.
2: What are the flowers of Sweet potato vine like?
A: Bell-shaped and blue
B: Funnel-shaped and white with a pinkish throat
C: Star-shaped and yellow
D: Round and orange
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The flowers of Sweet potato vine are funnel-shaped, white with a pinkish or purplish throat.
3: What type of roots does Sweet potato vine produce?
A: Fibrous roots
B: Tuberous roots
C: Taproot system
D: Aerial roots
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sweet potato vine produces large tuberous roots.
4: What is one traditional medicinal use for Sweet potato vine roots?
A: Treat headaches
B: Poultice for rheumatic pain
C: Build muscle
D: Hair growth
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Poultices made from Sweet potato vine roots are used to ease pain in rheumatic joints.
5: Which animals avoid Sweet potato vine due to its bitter taste and mild toxicity?
A: Birds
B: Mammalian herbivores
C: Fish
D: Reptiles
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Mammalian herbivores avoid Sweet potato vine because its roots have a bitter taste and are somewhat toxic.
6: Sweet potato vine is native to which region?
A: Europe
B: Asia
C: North America
D: South America
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Sweet potato vine is native to North America, particularly the southern and eastern United States, and extends into Ontario, Canada.
7: How long can the vine of Sweet potato vine grow?
A: 10 ft
B: 20 ft
C: 30 ft
D: 40 ft
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The vine of Sweet potato vine can grow up to 30 feet (9 meters) long.
8: Which pollinators are commonly attracted to Sweet potato vine?
A: Hummingbirds and bees
B: Frogs and newts
C: Deer and rabbits
D: Tortoises and hedgehogs
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Long-tongued bees such as honey bees and bumblebees, along with butterflies and moths, are attracted to Sweet potato vine.
9: In what conditions do Sweet potato vine flowers last longer?
A: Dry weather
B: Cloudy weather
C: High temperatures
D: During frost
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sweet potato vine flowers last longer in cloudy weather and tend to close around midday on sunny days.
10: What is one possible danger of consuming uncooked Sweet potato vine roots?
A: They turn into alcohol
B: They have purgative properties
C: They lose all nutrients
D: They become spicy
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Uncooked Sweet potato vine roots have purgative properties.
11: What type of plant is Sweet potato vine?
A: Annual herb
B: Perennial vine
C: Biennial shrub
D: Deciduous tree
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sweet potato vine is a perennial vine known for its climbing and sprawling nature.
12: What type of leaves does Sweet potato vine have?
A: Narrow and needle-like
B: Wide and heart-shaped
C: Round and small
D: Triangular and serrated
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sweet potato vine has wide, heart-shaped, or cordate leaves.
13: Which part of Sweet potato vine produces edible tubers similar to sweet potatoes?
A: Stems
B: Leaves
C: Roots
D: Flowers
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The roots of Sweet potato vine produce large edible tubers that resemble sweet potatoes when roasted.
14: Sweet potato vine is part of which plant family?
A: Rosaceae
B: Asteraceae
C: Convolvulaceae
D: Fabaceae
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Sweet potato vine belongs to the Convolvulaceae family, the same family as the morning glory.
15: Which feature on the seeds of Sweet potato vine helps identify them?
A: Smooth texture
B: Hairy outer edges
C: Bright colors
D: Sharp spines
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The seeds of Sweet potato vine have hairy outer edges, which helps in identifying them.
16: How can the tuberous roots of Sweet potato vine be best described after preparation?
A: Sticky and sour
B: Sweet and similar to sweet potatoes
C: Bitter and crunchy
D: Mild and chewy
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: When roasted, the tuberous roots of Sweet potato vine resemble sweet potatoes in taste.
17: What kind of flowers does Sweet potato vine produce?
A: White with blue streaks
B: Pink with yellow centers
C: White with a pinkish or purplish throat
D: Red with white dots
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Sweet potato vine produces white flowers with a pinkish or purplish throat.
18: Which environmental condition is least favorable for Sweet potato vine?
A: Wet, waterlogged soils
B: Rocky uplands
C: Woodland edges
D: Prairie borders
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Wet, waterlogged soils are least favorable for Sweet potato vine, which prefers well-drained soils.
19: What is the primary use for poultices made from Sweet potato vine roots?
A: Treat skin rashes
B: Ease rheumatic pain
C: Enhance sleep quality
D: Improve digestion
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Poultices made from the roots of Sweet potato vine can help ease pain in rheumatic joints.
20: Besides being edible, what is another use of Sweet potato vine roots?
A: To produce textile dyes
B: As a diuretic infusion
C: As a sweetener in desserts
D: For making jewelry
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Besides being edible, Sweet potato vine roots can be used to make a diuretic infusion.
21: What aspect of Sweet potato vine’s habitat supports its growth?
A: High salinity soils
B: Full shade environments
C: Disturbed ground and rocky gullies
D: Coastal sand dunes
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Sweet potato vine thrives in disturbed grounds, rocky gullies, and woodland edges.
22: Which type of bees are known to visit Sweet potato vine flowers?
A: Carpenter bees
B: Long-tongued bees like honey bees and bumblebees
C: Leafcutter bees
D: Sweat bees
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Long-tongued bees, such as honey bees and bumblebees, are known to visit Sweet potato vine flowers.
23: What is the size range of Sweet potato vine flowers?
A: 0.5 – 1 inch
B: 2.5 – 3 inches
C: 4 – 5 inches
D: 1.5 – 2 inches
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sweet potato vine flowers typically measure between 2.5 and 3 inches in length.
24: What surface feature do Sweet potato vine seeds have?
A: Smooth and shiny
B: Hairy outer edges
C: Wrinkled and rough
D: Glossy and slippery
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sweet potato vine seeds have hairy outer edges, distinguishing them from other seeds.
25: What is the optimum production region for Sweet potato vine in North America?
A: Southwestern deserts
B: Southern and eastern United States, and Ontario, Canada
C: Northern tundra
D: Western coastal regions
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sweet potato vine is optimally produced in the southern and eastern United States, and extends into Ontario, Canada.
26: What appearance do the flowers of Sweet potato vine have when they open?
A: Bright yellow
B: White with a pinkish or purplish throat
C: Solid blue
D: Red and orange
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: When they open, the flowers of Sweet potato vine appear white with a pinkish or purplish throat.
27: Which beneficial property does the poultice made from Sweet potato vine roots have?
A: Cooling effect
B: Analgesic for rheumatic pain
C: Sunscreen property
D: Muscle bulking agent
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Poultices made from Sweet potato vine roots have analgesic (pain-relieving) properties, especially for rheumatic pain.
28: How do Sweet potato vine flowers behave in cloudy weather compared to sunny days?
A: They bloom in the evening
B: They last longer in cloudy weather
C: They become fragrant
D: They change color
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sweet potato vine flowers last longer in cloudy weather, whereas they close around midday on sunny days.
29: What notable feature do Sweet potato vine flowers demonstrate during the day?
A: They wilt in the morning
B: They stay open all day
C: They close around midday
D: They change color from pink to white
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Sweet potato vine flowers commonly close around midday under sunny conditions.
30: What is one reason Sweet potato vine is not typically eaten by mammals?
A: It grows too high to reach
B: It has a bitter taste and mild toxicity
C: It’s hidden underground
D: It emits a strong odor
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sweet potato vine has a bitter taste and is somewhat toxic, deterring mammals from eating it.
31: What fishing-related feature is commonly associated with Sweet potato vine’s foliage?
A: It is perfect for camouflage
B: It is toxic to insects
C: It feeds insect larvae
D: It enhances soil quality
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Sweet potato vine foliage is known for providing food for the larvae of various insects, including the sweet potato leaf miner.
32: What type of plant growth form does Sweet potato vine exhibit?
A: Erect shrub
B: Twining and scrambling vine
C: Prostrate ground cover
D: High-climbing liana
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sweet potato vine has a twining and scrambling vine growth form, reaching up to 30 feet in length.
33: What is the primary pollinator of Sweet potato vine flowers?
A: Hummingbirds
B: Long-tongued bees such as honey bees and bumblebees
C: Wind
D: Frogs
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Long-tongued bees such as honey bees and bumblebees are the primary pollinators of Sweet potato vine flowers.
34: What allows Sweet potato vine to grow significantly in disturbed environments such as railway verges?
A: High tolerance to disturbance
B: High water uptake
C: Nutrient-rich seeds
D: Protective thorns
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Sweet potato vine has a high tolerance for disturbed environments, allowing it to grow significantly in places like railway verges.
35: How long can Sweet potato vine roots grow, and what is their typical diameter?
A: 1 ft long, 1 in thick
B: 30 in long, 5 in thick
C: 20 ft long, 3 ft thick
D: Unknown length, constant thickness
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sweet potato vine roots can grow as long as 30 inches and can be about 5 inches thick.
36: What role do the leaves of Sweet potato vine play in an ecosystem apart from feeding pollinators?
A: Provide overwintering site for birds
B: Improve soil structure
C: Provide food for insect larvae
D: Absorb carbon dioxide
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The leaves of Sweet potato vine provide food for the larvae of several insects, such as the sweet potato leaf miner and sweetpotato hornworm.
37: What commonly observed property do Sweet potato vine flowers have during sunny conditions?
A: They become fragrant
B: They close around midday
C: They change color to red
D: They open only on cloudy days
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: In sunny conditions, Sweet potato vine flowers typically close around midday.
38: How do Sweet potato vine roots change after proper cooking?
A: They become toxic
B: They taste like meat
C: They turn sweet and edible
D: They lose all nutrients
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: When properly cooked, Sweet potato vine roots become sweet and edible, similar in taste to sweet potatoes.
39: Which insects are notably attracted to feeding on Sweet potato vine foliage?
A: Butterflies
B: Sweet potato leaf miner larvae
C: Grasshoppers
D: Ladybugs
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sweet potato leaf miner larvae are notably attracted to feeding on the foliage of Sweet potato vine.
40: What kind of habitat do you find Sweet potato vine in?
A: Dry deserts
B: Upland woods and prairie edges
C: Salt marshes
D: Deep ocean trenches
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sweet potato vine is typically found in upland woods, prairie edges, and other rough terrains.
41: How are Sweet potato vine flowers commonly pollinated?
A: By the wind
B: By rain
C: By bees and butterflies
D: By human intervention
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Sweet potato vine flowers are commonly pollinated by bees and butterflies.
42: How is Sweet potato vine related to the common sweet potato?
A: They are the same species
B: They belong to different families
C: They belong to the same genus but are different species
D: They are entirely unrelated
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Sweet potato vine and the common sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) belong to the same genus but are different species.
43: Which American state is part of Sweet potato vine’s native range?
A: Alaska
B: Texas
C: California
D: Hawaii
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sweet potato vine is native to southern and eastern parts of the United States, including Texas.
44: Why do some cultures prefer younger Sweet potato vine tubers for roasting?
A: They are easier to cook
B: They are more nutritious
C: They are sweeter and less bitter than older tubers
D: They are bigger in size
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Younger Sweet potato vine tubers are preferred for roasting because they are sweeter and less bitter than older tubers.
45: What do Sweet potato vine flowers commonly do in sunny weather?
A: They change color
B: They wilt quickly
C: They close around midday
D: They open wider
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: In sunny weather, Sweet potato vine flowers tend to close around midday.
46: What is the primary reason mammalian herbivores avoid Sweet potato vine?
A: Its leaves are tough to digest
B: Its bitter taste and mild toxicity
C: It is not accessible due to height
D: It’s a protected species
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Mammalian herbivores avoid Sweet potato vine because it has a bitter taste and is mildly toxic.
47: How are Sweet potato vine’s flowering patterns affected by the weather?
A: They bloom only at night
B: They last longer during cloudy weather
C: They become more fragrant in rain
D: They change petal color during wind
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sweet potato vine flowers last longer during cloudy weather and tend to close around midday on sunny days.
48: Which insect larvae feed on the roots of Sweet potato vine?
A: Sweet potato hornworm larvae
B: Grasshopper larvae
C: Sweet potato leaf beetle larvae
D: Butterfly larvae
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Sweet potato leaf beetle larvae feed on the tuberous roots of Sweet potato vine.
49: What is the typical reaction of Sweet potato vine flowers to sunny days?
A: They open fully by noon
B: They close around midday
C: They become bright red
D: They wither quickly
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sweet potato vine flowers commonly close around midday on sunny days.
50: What role do the leaves of Sweet potato vine serve for larvae?
A: They act as pollinators
B: They provide nutrition
C: They shield from predators
D: They offer a nesting site
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The leaves of Sweet potato vine provide nutrition for various insect larvae, such as those of the sweet potato leaf miner and hornworm.
51: What distinguishes the seeds of Sweet potato vine from other seeds?
A: They have bright spots
B: They are hairless
C: They have hairy outer edges
D: They glow in the dark
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The seeds of Sweet potato vine have hairy outer edges, making them distinguishable from other seeds.
52: In which type of environment does Sweet potato vine thrive best?
A: Swampy marshes
B: Waterlogged soils
C: Disturbed grounds and rocky environments
D: Frozen tundras
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Sweet potato vine thrives best in disturbed grounds, rocky gullies, and upland woods.
53: How does cooking affect the roots of Sweet potato vine?
A: It increases their nutritional value
B: It makes them edible and sweet
C: It makes them bitter and hard
D: It reduces their size
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cooking makes the roots of Sweet potato vine edible and gives them a sweet taste similar to sweet potatoes.
54: What effect do Sweet potato vine flowers typically have in the absence of direct sunlight?
A: They close faster
B: They stay open longer
C: They change color
D: They produce more nectar
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: In cloudy weather, Sweet potato vine flowers stay open longer and generally close around midday in sunny conditions.
55: What beneficial property does an infusion made from Sweet potato vine roots have?
A: Anti-inflammatory
B: Diuretic
C: Anti-aging
D: Anti-bacterial
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: An infusion made from Sweet potato vine roots has diuretic properties.
56: How are Sweet potato vine flowers typically pollinated?
A: By wind
B: By animals
C: By long-tongued bees and butterflies
D: By rainfall
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Sweet potato vine flowers are typically pollinated by long-tongued bees such as honey bees and bumblebees, as well as butterflies.
57: How did Sweet potato vine earn the nickname “man of the earth”?
A: Due to its deep root system
B: Because it grows rapidly
C: Because it resembles a human shape
D: Due to its medicinal properties
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Sweet potato vine is nicknamed “man of the earth” due to its extensive and large tuberous root system.
58: What is the color change observed in the throat of Sweet potato vine flowers?
A: From yellow to orange
B: From blue to pink
C: From pinkish to purplish
D: From red to green
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The throat of Sweet potato vine flowers exhibits a color change from pinkish to purplish.
59: Where in the United States is Sweet potato vine’s habitat most widespread?
A: Northern tundra
B: Southern and eastern regions
C: Western deserts
D: Central plains
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sweet potato vine’s habitat is most widespread in the southern and eastern parts of the United States.
60: What characteristic feature do Sweet potato vine’s leaves have that differentiates them from other plants?
A: They are always hairy
B: They are heart-shaped with purple-tinged petioles
C: They are needle-like and waxy
D: They are round and fuzzy
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sweet potato vine’s leaves are heart-shaped (cordate) and have long, purple-tinged petioles.