Question: Recently researchers have discovered a new species of flowering plant Echinops sahyadricus. It has been found in the state of-
a) Arunachal Pradesh
b) Maharashtra
c) Karnataka
d) Kerala
Answer (b):
Related Facts:-
- Recently researchers have discovered a new species of flowering plant from India, named as Echinops sahyadricus.
- This new flowering plant is also known by the English name Sahyadri globe thistle has been obtained from the Rajgad Fort area, Pune Maharashtra.
- It should be noted that this region is located in the Sahyadri hills in the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
- Researchers from India and Italy have achieved success with their collaborative effort.
- The newly discovered species, under the genus Echinops (spiny thistle) and an erect branched flowering herb with stout stems.
- It is endemic to western Maharashtra and found only on a few open hilltops in the northern Western Ghats.
- Information regarding this new species was published on 23 October 2020 in Nordic Journal of Botany.
- The credit to the discovery of Echinops Sahyadricus goes to the Mumbai-based botanist Sushant More from Sathaye College, Vile Parle, Mumbai, and Fabio Conti from the University of Camerino, Italy.
- Harshal Bhosale from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Mumbai, has also given his valuable contribution in the discovery of this plant.
- The new species grows mostly on open mountain slopes from 800 to 1400 metres (m) above sea level in the northern Western Ghats.
- It is distributed from Salher in Nashik District, which is located in the north and south of Kolhapur district.
- It grows during monsoon – between June and September — and flowers bloom in November. The fruiting occurs in December.
- Researchers said the new species was unique due to the size of its composite inflorescence because a large number of small flowers clustered together.
- They measure up to 9 centimetres (cm) in diameter, which is relatively large compared to other Echinops species around the world.
- Researchers emphasised for the conservation of these plants as infrastructure projects such as road widening and construction activities along these forts could affect the population of the species,
- According to the botanists, this discovery highlights the hidden treasures of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra.
- There are about 130 species of Echinops in the world, out of which five species are found in the country and two in Maharashtra alone.
By – Rajesh Tripathi
Link:
https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/maharashtra-new-plant-species-discovered-in-northern-western-ghats/story-xYzo17LNW3hckQf7ntMDFN.html
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/new-species-of-echinops-found-in-sahyadri-mountains/article32944224.ece