A rare hemi-parasitic terrestrial plant discovered in Phawngpui National Park of Mizoram. Discovered by Rabishankar Sengupta, a research scholar from the Botanical Survey of India, and Dr. Sudhansu Sekhar Dash, scientist-F & In-Charge, Technical Section, Botanical Survey of India. The plant is named Phtheirospermum lushaiorum and marks a new species to science.
Publication
- Published in the plant taxonomy journal Phytotaxa.
Characteristics of Phtheirospermum lushaiorum
- Hemi-parasitic plants lacking a fully developed root system.
- Form connections with another plant to obtain water and minerals.
- Have chlorophyll and produce food by photosynthesis.
- Capable of limited growth in the absence of the host plant.
- Tap into the sap-conducting tissue of the host using specialized structures called haustoria.
- Flowering period: July to September; fruiting period: August to October.
Discovery Process
- Discovered during a floristic survey in September 2021.
- Found growing intermixed with other plants.
- Initially resembled Pterygiella species but distinguished by specific characteristics.
Conservation
- Currently known only from the type locality.
- Specific epithet “lushaiorum” honors the Lushai tribe of Mizoram.
- Threatened by anthropogenic and natural activities.
- Regular field visits to motivate locals for conservation.
- Intervention from the forest department suggested for conservation efforts.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers:
- What is the name of the rare hemi-parasitic terrestrial plant discovered in Phawngpui National Park?
- A) Phtheirospermum indica
- B) Phtheirospermum lushaiorum
- C) Phtheirospermum mizoramensis
- D) Phtheirospermum calcaratum
- Answer: B) Phtheirospermum lushaiorum
- In which journal was the discovery of Phtheirospermum lushaiorum published?
- A) Journal of Botany
- B) International Journal of Plant Sciences
- C) Phytotaxa
- D) Journal of Plant Taxonomy
- Answer: C) Phytotaxa
- What distinguishes hemi-parasitic plants like Phtheirospermum lushaiorum?
- A) They lack chlorophyll.
- B) They have a fully developed root system.
- C) They obtain water and minerals from a host plant.
- D) They cannot produce food by photosynthesis.
- Answer: C) They obtain water and minerals from a host plant.
- What is the flowering period of Phtheirospermum lushaiorum?
- A) April to June
- B) July to September
- C) October to December
- D) January to March
- Answer: B) July to September
- What conservation efforts are suggested for Phtheirospermum lushaiorum?
- A) Regular watering
- B) Anthropogenic activities
- C) Motivating locals for conservation
- D) Forest department intervention
- Answer: D) Forest department intervention