Scientists Discovered 10 New Rare Plant Species in Chhattisgarh | 01 Jul 2023

Why In News?

According to information received from the media on June 27, 2023, recently a team of scientists from Chhattisgarh has identified 10 new rare plant species in the state. These species are very rare and mostly found in the Western Ghats.

Key Points:

• Dr. M.L. Nayak, Dr. Rajendra Mishra and Dr. A. P. Tiwari are included.
• These species are grasses, vines, medium trees and shrubs which have been discovered from Udanti Sanctuary and Kanger Valley National Park.
• Dr. M.L. Nayak said that the herbarium has been made by collecting samples of plant species. These species include 1 grass species, 2 vine species, 2 medium sized tree species and 5 shrub species.
• Dr. Nayak said that out of 10 species discovered, 8 species have been discovered from Kanger Valley National Park and the remaining 2 species from Udanti Sanctuary.
• The said survey was done under the guidance of Arun Kumar Pandey, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Member Secretary, Chhattisgarh State Biodiversity Board.
• The country's well-known journal 'The Indian Forester' has prominently published the said plant species in its May issue.
• The plant species discovered by a team of scientists include Alocasia decipiens, Breynia retusa, Cosmostigma racemosum, Dinabra polystachyos, Dracaena terniflora, Gamphostemma parviflorum, Gymnema inodorum, Huberantha cerasides, Lepisanthes tetraphylla and Solanum erianthum.

Lepisanthes tetraphylla	Cosmostigma racemosum	Dracaena terniflora
Alocasia decipiens	Solanum erianthum	Huberantha cerasides
Gamphostemma parviflorum	Breynia retusa	Gymnema inodorum
Dinebra polystachyos