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Assam produces an orchid link to the Orient
Why in news?
- One of its smallest orchids in terms of size and duration of bloom have been discovered in Assam by forest officers.
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- About the Orchid:(1) Named as Lecanorchis taiwaniana is a mycoheterotroph, one of two types of parasitic plants that have abandoned photosynthesis.(2) It appeared close to the nigricans species while bearing 90% similarity with the taiwaniana species named after Taiwan.(3) Lecanorchis taiwaniana adds to the orchid wealth of northeast India, which has 800 of some 1,300 species in the country.(4) About 300 species are found in the Western Ghats and 200 in the northwestern Himalayas.
- Does it have Herbal value?(1) The orchid, discovered earlier in Japan, Taiwan, and Laos, was found to have a maximum height of 40 cm and a blossoming period of five-six days.(2) This orchid flowers and fruits from July to September.(3) As it derives its energy and nutrients from fungus, it may be of herbal importance.(4) It is yet to ascertain the herbal value of this orchid.
- Few other botanical discoveries:(1) Ginger-like Amomum pratisthana(2) Smilax sailenii named after Prof. Sailen Borah, one of Assam’s best-known botanists.
Source
The hindu