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Context

• A new plant species from Kutch, Salsola oppositifolia Desfontania, is discovered by team of researchers from Gujarat Ecological Education and Research, a Gujarat based institution.
• The discovery has been reported in an annual compendium ‘Plant Discoveries’, published by the Botanical Survey of India.

Other Details

• This species was found earlier in different parts of the globe for instance Italy, Northern Africa, Palestine, Spain and Western Sahara etc.
• It is the first time this species has been found in India in rocky and pebbled hilly outcrops of Khadir and Bela island of Kutch, Gujarat.

GEER Foundation

• It is an autonomous body functioning with support from the Gujarat forest department.
• The institution was established in 1982 by the Forests & Environment Department, Government of Gujarat.
• It has been registered as a Society under the Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860, and as a Public Trust under the Bombay Public Trust Act of 1950.
• The Foundation is governed by a Board of Governors chaired by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Gujarat.
• Some of the objectives of this foundation are given below –
  • To initiate and facilitate scientific research & studies for conservation of natural resources.
  • To establish, manage and promote wilderness areas, museums, parks and other repositories of animals and plants, living or dead.
  • To engage in breeding of endangered species of plants and animals and reintroduce these in the wild, if possible.
  • To generate love for & promote knowledge of ecology, ecosystems, environment and natural history among public.
  • To assist other institutions and individuals engaged in similar pursuits with information, advice and finance.

Salsola genus

• Five other species of Salsola genus have been found in India which are-
  • Salsola kali
  • Salsola hatmanii
  • Salsola monoptera
  • Salsola baryosma (Caroxylon imbricatum) – discovered in the Kutch region
  • Salsola glomerata (Halogeton glomeratus)
• In general the plant species of Salsola genus have salty juice stored in their leaves.
• Salsola oppositifolia is commonly known as morad.
• In the manufacturing of soda ash, morad is used as a raw material.
• Other Salsola species have pharmacological properties and are used in making lye and soaps.
• Some plant species of same family such as Salsola fruticosa are used as fodder for Indian Wild Ass.

Salsola oppositifolia Desfontania

• The shrub belongs to the family of Amaranthaceae and Salsola genus.
• It is a perennial, succulent shrub which grows in saline conditions.
• The arid to semi-arid region of the Kutch district seems favourable for the growth of this plant species.
• It can grow one to two metres tall and have a smooth, cylindrical, woody base.
• It does not have any hairs and prostrate rarely, which differentiates it from other species of Salsola.
• In this plant species, leaves grow opposite each other in the stem.

Significance of Discovery

• Better understanding of the rich biodiversity of the great Rann of Kutch.
• Ecological importance of this plant species will help in understanding the behaviour and other details of associated insects and migratory bird species.

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/new-plant-species-that-grows-in-saline-conditions-of-kutch-discovered-8828631/

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