Nagpur Researchers Discover New Plant Species in Ambagad

A new plant species, Cleistanthus Deekshabhoomiana, has been discovered by three botany teachers in the Ambagad forest, located in Bhandara district, Maharashtra. This species is a new addition to the Cleistanthus genus, which already has 134 known species worldwide. The discovery of Cleistanthus Deekshabhoomiana makes it the 135th species in this group.

How Was It Discovered?

The discovery was made during a field exploration focused on identifying different types of plants. The researchers noticed this new species, locally called ‘Garadi’, and conducted a detailed study. Their findings were published in the ‘Indian Forester’, a journal that has been dedicated to forestry research since 1875.

Significance of this Discovery

The plant is named Cleistanthus Deekshabhoomiana in honor of Deekshabhoomi, a historically significant site in Nagpur. It is now the 9th Cleistanthus species identified in India and the 6th that is endemic, meaning it is found only in this specific region.

Botanical Characteristics

This new species has some unique features, such as red fruits and branches. This makes it different from the local Garadi species, which has green fruits about the size of plums. The Cleistanthus Deekshabhoomiana flowers between February and July and grows well in the hilly, dry deciduous forests of Ambagad.

Efforts to Preserve the Species

The researchers are not only studying where this plant can be found but also working on its conservation. They have established a seed bank to help protect the species and plan to look for it in other nearby areas like Kanhargaon and Melghat.

Research Methodology

The team used a combination of field observations and laboratory measurements to make sure that this plant was indeed a new species. They carefully compared it with other species in the Cleistanthus genus, which belongs to the Phyllanthaceae family. To support further research, they have preserved specimens of the plant at SN Mor College of Arts & Commerce and G D Saraf Science College.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2024

Category: Environment Current Affairs