Relevance:
3 medicinal plant species found in the Himalayas have made it to IUCN Red List of Threatened Species following a recent assessment.
News Summary:
- Meizotropis pellita –
- Common Name: Patwa (Perennial shrub)
- Endemic: Uttarakhand.
- IUCN Status: Critically endangered
- Uses: Essential oil extracted from the leaves used as antioxidants.
- Fritilloria cirrhosa –
- Common Name: Himalayan fritillary (perennial bulbous herb)
- Endemic: Himalayas.
- IUCN Status: Vulnerable
- Uses: Cough suppressant, treatment of bronchial disorders and pneumonia
- Dactylorhiza hatagirea –
- Common Name: Salampanja (perennial tuberous)
- Endemic: Hindu Kush and Himalayan ranges (Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan)
- IUCN Status: Endangered
- Uses: Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani to cure dysentery, gastritis, chronic fever, cough and stomach aches.
Recently, our scientists have discovered a new and distinct species of banana plant which attains a height of about 11 metres and has orange-coloured fruit pulp. In which part of India has it been discovered? (2016)
a). Andaman Islands
b). Anaimalai Forests
c). Maikala Hills
d). Tropical rain forests of northeast
Reference: The Hindu
