Which of these plants shows flowering only once in their life ?

Options

A. Bamboo
B. Strobilanthus kunthiana
C. Wheat
D. Potato

Answer

To determine which of the plants shows flowering only once in their life, we can analyze the options provided:

1. **Wheat**: Wheat is an annual plant, meaning it completes its life cycle in one year. It flowers and produces seeds within that time frame. Therefore, it does not flower only once in its life.

2. **Potato**: Similar to wheat, potato is also an annual plant. It grows, flowers, and produces tubers within a single growing season. Thus, it does not meet the criteria of flowering only once in its life.

3. **Bamboo**: Bamboo is a perennial plant that has a unique flowering cycle. It typically flowers once in a very long period, ranging from 50 to 100 years, and then it dies after flowering. This characteristic makes bamboo a candidate for the answer.

4. **Strobilanthus kuntiana (Neelakaranji)**: This plant is known to flower once every 12 years. While it does have a long flowering cycle, it does not flower only once in its lifetime, as it can flower multiple times throughout its life.

Based on the analysis, the correct answer is **Bamboo**, as it flowers only once in its lifetime after a long period.

### Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Identify the nature of each plant (annual vs. perennial).
2. Analyze the flowering cycle of wheat and potato (both are annual).
3. Examine the flowering cycle of bamboo (flowers once in 50-100 years).
4. Check the flowering cycle of Strobilanthus kuntiana (flowers once every 12 years).
5. Conclude that bamboo is the plant that flowers only once in its life.