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Fire-Resilient Plant: A remarkable new plant species, Dicliptera polymorpha, has been discovered in the Western Ghats, one of India’s four global biodiversity hotspots. This species exhibits unique fire-resilient and dual-blooming traits, making it notable both for its ecological adaptability and its rare structural features. The Western Ghats region, known for its rich and unique biodiversity, continues to be a focal point for scientific exploration, with ongoing discoveries shedding light on India’s endemic flora.
Fire-Resilient Plant – Research and Discovery
The species was discovered by researchers from the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, under the Department of Science & Technology (DST). This team, led by Dr. Mandar Datar and including botanists Adittya Dharap and Bhushan Shigwan, identified Dicliptera polymorpha during an expedition to Talegaon-Dabhade—a region recognized for its grasslands and fodder markets.
Key Characteristics of Dicliptera Polymorpha
1. Fire Resilience: Dicliptera polymorpha has a unique pyrophytic (fire-adaptive) trait, allowing it to thrive despite frequent human-induced grassland fires. In addition to post-monsoon flowering, it experiences a second blooming triggered by fires.
2. Dual-Blooming Pattern: The species blooms twice a year:
a. First Bloom: November to March/April, coinciding with the post-monsoon season.
b. Second Bloom: May and June, activated by grassland fires, where woody rootstocks produce dwarf shoots for an abundant but short flowering period.
3. Taxonomic Uniqueness: The plant exhibits a rare spicate inflorescence structure (cymules that develop into spikes), distinguishing it from other Indian species in the Dicliptera genus. Its closest relatives are found in Africa, highlighting its distinctive evolutionary path.
4. Habitat and Resilience: The species thrives on open grassland slopes in the northern Western Ghats, enduring extreme conditions such as droughts and seasonal fires, underscoring its strong adaptive capacity.
Conservation Implications
The discovery of Dicliptera polymorpha has significant conservation implications:
1. Grassland Management: Given its fire-dependent life cycle, there is a need for balanced fire management in grassland ecosystems to prevent habitat degradation and ensure species survival.
2. Sustainable Practices: Overuse of grasslands and uncontrolled fires could threaten the limited habitat range of this unique species, making it crucial to incorporate biodiversity-supportive fire practices.
3. Dicliptera polymorpha serves as a reminder of the ecological importance of the Western Ghats and the necessity for sustained efforts to preserve its delicate ecosystems.
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