A rare hemi-parasitic terrestrial plant has been found in Phawngpui National Park of Mizoram.
Rabishankar Sengupta, a research scholar from the Botanical Survey of India (registered under Department of Botany, University of Calcutta) along with his research supervisor, Dr. Sudhansu Sekhar Dash, scientist-F & In-Charge, Technical Section, Botanical Survey of India have found this very rare terrestrial hemi-parasitic plant Phtheirospermum lushaiorum from the dense forests near the Phawngpui national park peak in Lawngtlai district of Mizoram, marking a new species to science.
This new species to science was published in a reputed plant taxonomy journal -Phytotaxa.
“These hemi-parasitic plants lack a fully developed root system and form connections with another plant, from which it obtains some or all of its water and minerals. Such plants have chlorophyll and produce their own food by photosynthesis, and in some cases are capable of limited growth in the absence of the host plant.
They tap into the sap-conducting tissue of the host by means of specialized structures called haustoria (see haustorium). Phtheirospermum lushaiorum attach themselves to the roots of their host and appear like normal plants growing in the soil. They flower only during July to September and fruits are produced during August to October,” Rabishankar Sengupta told EastMojo.
“During September 2021, while conducting the floristic survey in the dense forests of Phawngpui national park, I stumbled upon the yellow flowers of these little plants growing intermixed with Melastoma malabathricum and Argentina lineata plants. On the subsequent visits, I observed the full growth of the plant and collected it to identify. I noticed only 15–37 mature individuals in the type locality and identified as a new species to science,” he said.
He said the plants were appearing similar to Pterygiella species but the shorter height, distinct bilabiate yellow flower and didynamous stamen observed under a stereomicroscopic observation and consultation with relevant literature resulted in its identification as Phtheirospermum lushaiorum, a plant species new to science.
Fruit setting was also later observed in some individuals. It is currently known only from the type locality.
“The specific epithet “lushaiorum” is named after the “Lushai” tribe of Mizoram. The specific epithet honours the traditions and cultural heritage of the Lushai tribe of Mizoram for their commitment towards biodiversity conservation,” he said.
“The Far Pak area of Phawngpui national park is like a picnic spot and popular trekking route with regular anthropogenic activities during the dry season (October-April) and the plant species grow near the trekking route. Therefore, the hemi-parasitic species is dwindling in its natural habitat due to both anthropogenic and natural threats,” he said.
Rabishankar expressed concern that the fringe village dwellers regularly collect leaf litter from the area which is detrimental for these unique hemi-parasitic plants. “During our regular field visit from 2018-2022, we have tried to motivate the locals to conserve their rare wealth which resulted in a positive response. Intervention from the forest department would be the only plausible option for their conservation,” he said.
Also Read: Rare orchid recorded in Sikkim, but its future looks uncertain