Question

Which wild plant is a good source of rubber?
(a)Parthenium argentatum
(b)Psophocarpus tetragonolobus
(c)Simmondsia Chinensis
(d)Leucaena leucocephala

Answer 1

Hint: This is a perennial woody shrub in the aster family, Asteraceae that is native to the rangeland area of the Chihuahuan Desert; including the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

Complete answer:
Parthenium argentatum is a wild plant and also a good source of rubber. It is commonly known as the guayule. Natural Rubber such as ethanol, non-toxic adhesives, and other specialty chemicals can be extracted from guayule. Unlike the normal Hevea rubber, an alternative source of latex that is hypoallergenic can also be extracted from Parthenium argentatum .

Additional Information:
 -Guayule generally grows in rocky, limestone desert areas in the full bright sun.
-The outer branches and leaves of this plant are covered with fine silvery hairs called trichomes, and at the highest level of the plant yellow-white flowers grow from the stems.
-The densely haired leaves are covered with white wax to assist prevent drying.
-The plant has an in-depth rootage, which lends to its drought resistance.
-It is adapted for hot desert environments and grows well in well-drained, desert-like soil
-Parthenium argentatum has been cultivated under both dryland and irrigated conditions.
-A surge of Type 1 latex allergy coincided with a worldwide increase in demand for latex gloves due to the precautions people need to prevent the spread of diseases, like AIDS, and hepatitis B in the 1980s.
-Guayule is often an economically viable biofuel crop that doesn't increase the world's hunger problem.
-As biofuel guayule has another benefit over food crops.
So, the correct answer is,’Parthenium argentatum ’.

Note:
-Parthenium argentatum has been cultivated under both dryland and irrigated conditions.
-Unlike the normal Hevea rubber, an alternative source of latex can also be extracted from Parthenium argentatum .
-It is often grown in areas where food crops struggle.