New Alpine Plant Species Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

A group of scientists of three institutes have discovered a new species of alpine plant in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The details were published in Biodiversitas: Journal of Biological Diversity.

About the New Alpine Plant Species

• The new species of plant belongs to the family of Himalayan sunflower.
• It has been named as Cremanthodium indicum.
• This species of plant generally flowers from July to August.
• It is endemic to the Penga-Teng Tso Lake of Tawang district.
• As per the IUCN Guideline, this alpine plant species has been listed as critically endangered.

Alpine Plants

The plants that grow in the alpine climate. Many of the plant species and taxon grow as a plant community in such alpine tundra including perennial grasses, forbs, sedges, mosses, cushion plants and lichens. These plants are adapted to harsh alpine climatic of environmental conditions such as dryness, low temperatures, wind, drought, ultraviolet radiation, poor nutritional soil and a short growing season.

Alpine climate

Typical weather for the regions that occurs above the tree line. It is also called as the mountain climate or highland climate.

Tree line

It is the edge of habitat at which trees are capable to grow. Tree line is found at high elevations and high latitudes. It the line beyond which the trees cannot tolerate environmental conditions like extreme snowpack, cold temperatures, or associated lack of moisture.

Tawang District

It is the smallest districts out of the 16 administrative districts of Arunachal Pradesh. It has a population of 49,977 which makes the state as eighth least populous district in India. This district is inhabited by the Monpa people.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2021