Botanically what kind of plant is the potato? What plant family does it belong to? What are the closest relatives of potatoes?The potato, Solanum tuberosum, is a member of the nightshade family. Its closest relatives are tomatoes, peppers (Chile, jalapeno), and eggplant.What is Solanine?It’s a secondary plant compound, meaning it isn’t necessary for the plant’s survival, which is toxic in small quantities and works as a plant’s natural defense.What kind of plant part is the potato? What is its function?The potato is a modified stem, also known as a tuber. The tuber’s function is nutrient storage and asexual reproduction. Tubers are found below ground and so they don’t have much solanine but the leaves above ground do.What are the potatoes “eyes”?They are modified leave structures and the growth point for new plants.What do you call potatoes that are grown to produce other potatoes under special conditions to eliminate contamination with viruses and diseases?Seed PotatoesWhere is the potato center of origin and culture?Mountains of Peru/BoliviaWhy did it take so long for potatoes to be accepted in Europe?People believed that what a plant looked like would tell you what it would do. SO potatoes were lumpy therefore caused leprosy. Additionally, potatoes were grown and consumed in the Americas and only “uncivilized demons” came from the Americas. Europeans would not stoop to their level.What are the advantages of potato crops to the European economy?Whole families could be supported on a single acre of production, thus making them more productive than other crops. A human diet was nutritionally complete when potatoes were paired with dairy products. Potatoes were very cheap to produce, stored well, and resisted destruction during conflicts.The cuttings were adapted to the old environment, seeds were not necessarily so.The early orchards started by the first colonists in America produced very few apples. Why were the apple yields so low at first?The old world varieties were not adapted to America and there were not any honeybees to pollinate thee apple tree when it produced flowers. Honeybees are native to Europe. America lacked the necessary pollinators for the apples. Colonists shipped honeybees to Virginia in 1622.Who was John Chapman?John Chapman traveled the then frontier Northwest Territory of the US, sowing apple seeds along the way. He was an itinerant orchardist who gave away or sold apple seeds and seedlings. He brought alcohol to the frontier, spread apple seeds and influenced settlement locations, and Unwittingly drove forward the evolution of the apple.Why was there a desire for apples on the frontier?They were a source of sugar and alcoholWhat were the Egyptians uses for spices?For cooking, their mummies and to hide the stench from the crowdsWho created a monopoly on the spice trade moving toward Europe around 950 AD?The ArabsHow did the Crusades influence the demand for spice in Europe?Crusaders developed a taste for spices and brought back new and exotic spices when they returned from battle, increasing spice demand.Pepper was one of the first spices to be plagued with counterfeiting. What plant berry was mixed with peppercorns to “extend the supply”?Juniper berriesWhat are the four spice obsession theories?Theory 1: Using spice as a Food PreservativePepper (along with salt) was the main means of meat preservationOther spices made spoiled meat edible againNot much evidence to support this.Salt worked as a fine preservation on its ownLocal spices (and herbs) were plentifulThose that could afford meat could afford FRESH meatTheory 2: Spices used as medicineStimulate appetite/aid digestionPhilter (Philtres)Against plagueAphrodisiacs and love potionsCures for impotenceTheory 3: The “Paradise” theoryMedieval palate was dull/numb before spicesThe state of the spices WAS paradise“Emissaries from a fabled world”Spices came from paradiseSome Theological BeliefsGarden of Eden lay in AsiaTheory 4: Trade Route InflationSpices were moved from China and India to EuropeGreat Silk Road -- The overland trade route stretched over 7,000 milesWhy did the price of spices start to decline at the end of the 17th century?The various countries that had been buying spices from other countries realized they could successfully grow the plants on their own lands and places other than where they were native. Additionally, a new group of “luxury foods” appeared, creating a new trend.Darwin was particularly fond of orchids in which genus?Catasetum.How long does it take an orchid to mature? How long can they live?It takes 7 years or more for an orchid to mature into flowering plant. They can live 50+ years in some cases.Where was the tulip first domesticated? Where was it first grown on a large scale?Turkey. Holland.What is the biological role of the flower?Flowers produce the sex organs and sex cells for plants. This is the place where pollination and fertilization occurs.What are the top 6 fresh flower-growing states?California, Washington, Hawaii, Florida, Oregon, New JerseyWhat are the top five dominating flower crops?Roses, Gladiolus, Pompon chrysanthemums, Standard chrysanthemums, CarnationsWhat is considered to be the most popular garden plant in the world? RoseWhat are the 3 main “cut flower holidays”?Mother’s day, Christmas, and Valentine’s DayWhat is the Proustian Effect?When a particular smell unleashes a flood of memories bring you back to a particular time or placeWhat are the four scent markets?Billboard smell (goal is to make a bold statement and draw attention to a specific product), thematic smell (Compliments a décor and ties in with all the other sensory elements), ambient smell (goal is to fill a void or cover an (often unwanted) odor), and signature smell (exclusive smell developed for a product)What is the current North American coffee consumption rate?40 gallons per person per yearCoffea arabica originated in the highlands of _________.Ethiopian highlandsWhy is Coffea Arabica considered to be more of a “wimpy plant” than other varieties of coffee?It contains less secondary compounds that can potentially deter herbivores from feeding on the plant and needs a more basic (alkaline) soil than the other varieties so its potential competitive range is decreased.What is the main pest of coffee in Latin America?A species of beetle called the Coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei)AGRI 116 1nd EditionExam # 2 Study Guide Lectures: