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A team of Indian botanists has identified a new leafless orchid species, Gastrodia lohitensis, in Arunachal Pradesh's Lohit district. The discovery of Gastrodia lohitensis brings the total number of Gastrodia species in India to 12.
Habitat |
Found in bamboo thickets around Tezu, Lohit district, Arunachal Pradesh. |
Features |
|
Ecological Niche |
Flourishes only in dense, shaded bamboo canopies, emphasizing its limited ecological niche. |
Threats |
Faces pressures from local land use, including bamboo harvesting and agriculture. |
Conservation Importance |
Conservationists emphasize that the survival of Gastrodia lohitensis depends on protecting its fragile habitat within Arunachal Pradesh's biodiverse landscape. |
Source:INDIA TODAY
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Cyclone Dana triggered heavy rains, but the city was spared any significant damage. However, it did bring relief to those with allergies and asthma, as the heavy showers led to "Chhatim" trees (Alstonia Scholaris) shedding flowers that have a strong fragrance.
Aspect |
Details |
Common Names |
Blackboard tree, scholar tree, milkwood, devil's tree (English). |
Family |
Apocynaceae (dogbane family). |
Historical Reference |
Cited in the Charaka and Sushrutha Samhithas. It is called 'Saptaparna' in India and is the sacred tree of the 2nd Jain tirthankar Ajitnatha. |
Distribution |
Widespread across the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and southern China; thrives in tropical and subtropical climates. |
Height |
Typically 10–20 meters, sometimes reaching up to 40 meters. |
Unique Feature |
A unique feature of this tree is that in some places, such as New Guinea, the trunk is three-sided (i.e. it is triangular in cross-section). |
Flowers |
Small, fragrant, greenish-white flowers that bloom in clusters during late autumn and early winter. |
Traditional Uses |
Bark, leaves, and other parts used in traditional medicine for treating respiratory conditions, fever, skin disorders, and digestive issues. |
Wood |
Soft, lightweight wood historically used for making writing slates and blackboards, giving rise to the common name "blackboard tree". |
IUCN Status |
Least Concern. |
READ ABOUT- https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/cyclone-dana
Source:TOI
PRACTICE QUESTION Q.It is native to southern China, tropical Asia (mainly the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia) and Australasia, where it is a common ornamental plant. It is called 'Saptaparna' in India and is the sacred tree of the 2nd Jain tirthankar Ajitnatha. A unique feature of this tree is that in some places, such as New Guinea, the trunk is three-sided. The above-given paragraph is related to which among the following species? (a) Chattim tree (b) Black willow (c) Kapok tree (d) Eastern red cedar Answer: a Explanation: Alstonia scholaris, commonly called blackboard tree, scholar tree, milkwood or devil's tree in English, is an evergreen tropical tree in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). It is native to southern China, tropical Asia (mainly the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia) and Australasia, where it is a common ornamental plant. It is a toxic plant, but is used traditionally for myriad diseases and complaints. It is called 'Saptaparna' in India and is the sacred tree of the 2nd Jain tirthankar Ajitnatha. Alstonia scholaris is a glabrous tree and grows up to 40 m tall. Its mature bark is grayish and its young branches are copiously marked with lenticels. A unique feature of this tree is that in some places, such as New Guinea, the trunk is three-sided (i.e. it is triangular in cross-section). |
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