Latest news with #Phytotaxa
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Meet Pedicularis rajeshiana: The new plant species from Himalayas
1 2 3 4 Prayagraj: A groundbreaking discovery has been made in the western Himalayas of India, with the identification of a new plant species, Pedipularis rajeshiana, in the high-altitude regions of Rohtang Pass. Ace scientist Arti Garg, formerly the head of the Botanical Survey of India in Prayagraj and currently with BSI Dehradun, has classified this unique plant under the family Orobanchaceae. Garg has named the species after her husband, Rajesh. The discovery has been officially documented in the prestigious journal Phytotaxa, based in Mongolia. Pedicularis rajeshiana belongs to a group of plants known as "Louseworts", which are hemiparasitic, meaning they derive some nutrients from other plants while still performing photosynthesis. According to Garg, what distinguishes this species from others in the Pedicularis genus are its unique floral characteristics and pollen structure. Notably, Garg has previously made significant discoveries, including identifying the world's oldest known Banyan tree (500 years old), a 600-year-old Khirni tree, and an 800-year-old Parijaat tree. Unlike its close relatives P. porrecta and P. heydei, the new species is smaller in size and has fewer flowers and leaflets. One of its most striking features is the deeply-cut lower lip (labium) of the flower and the unique positioning of its stamens — the parts that produce pollen—at three different levels inside the flower. In addition, its pollen grains show a rare structure with a croton-like surface texture and a distinct shape, which was confirmed using light and scanning electron microscopes. Remarkably, during the fieldwork, two flowers were found with a twin "galea"— a hood-like part of the flower — a trait never observed before in this genus. Scientists believe this may be an evolutionary adaptation aimed at improving pollination efficiency. The plant was found at an altitude of 4,390 metres (about 14,400 feet) in the Rohtang Pass, a rugged and ecologically rich area in Himachal Pradesh. The Rohtang region, part of the Pir Panjal mountain range, is known for its extreme climate, including heavy snowfall and storms. Pedicularis rajeshiana was spotted growing in small, scattered patches in shaded rocky slopes. It thrives in very specific microhabitats, making it rare and possibly endangered. This discovery was made during a plant survey under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF&CC) and the Botanical Survey of India, as part of the "Flora of India" project. Detailed lab analysis was carried out on various plant parts, including pollen grains, to confirm its uniqueness and establish it as a new species. India is home to 83 known species of Pedicularis, with 36 species found in the western Himalayas alone. Due to their parasitic nature and specific habitat requirements, many of these plants are endemic — found only in certain regions. The identification of Pedicularis rajeshiana adds to this rich biodiversity and highlights the ecological significance of high-altitude Himalayan ecosystems. Conservation efforts will be important to protect this rare discovery.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists stunned after sampling mysterious tree hidden deep in rainforest — here's what they found
Tanzanian scientists have uncovered an exciting new species of tree, as relayed by According to the findings, which were published in Phytotaxa, the Tessmannia princeps appears to grow very slowly, earning only 1 centimeter of girth every 15 years, but it can be very old. Some specimens the team found are estimated to be up to 3,000 years old. The specimens they found were up to 40 meters tall and a massive 2.7 meters in diameter. It spreads fern-like leaves and blooms white flowers. The trees were found in two subpopulations in Tanzania's central Udzungwa Mountain rainforests within the boundaries of a national park. This luckily provides these ancient specimens some legal protection. The age of some of these trees is especially interesting given the area's history. "The vast majority of montane forests in the immediate vicinity have been deforested in the last 120 years," said the paper. "It is important to note, however, that the species is totally absent from forest patches, even quite large ones, in the vicinity of the known two subpopulations." The paper hypothesizes that a wider population of these trees may have been harvested in more readily accessible areas, but it's still hard to say. Further study is also needed to see whether Tessmannia princeps has genetic links to east coast vegetation or western and central African varieties. Its closest sibling is the Tessmannia densiflora, which is found at a lower elevation. Rainforests are home to a wide range of biodiversity, much of which scientists are still discovering. While exciting, it's also a challenge. Deforestation poses a threat to species we barely know exist, and the role they play in maintaining key natural balances. Rainforests serve humanity by sequestering large amounts of carbon, regulating global temperatures, and combating erosion. Drought currently threatens Tanzanian farmers, while off the coast in Zanzibar, commercial concerns may eat up ecologically sensitive land. Dangers like these still loom large over Tessmannia princeps and the rainforests of the Udzungwa Mountains, despite their legal protections. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
