Rare Orchid Species Found in Uttarakhand

• 18 Aug 2021

Why in News

• Recently, for the first time in India, the discovery of a rare species of orchid has been confirmed by the Botanical Survey of India in the Mandal area of Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.

Key Points

• Cephalanthera erecta var: This species of orchid named oblansevalata was discovered by the research wing of the forest department at an altitude of 1870 meters in the humus-rich oak-burans (rhododendron-oak) forests in the Mandal area of Chamoli district.
• Although the species was discovered in May 2021, the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) has recently confirmed it. Now it has been officially recognized by BSI as the new edition of the List of Indian Flora. BSI has confirmed the addition of Cephalanthera erecta to its new edition of Nelumbo Magazine.
• Chief Conservator of Forests (Research) Sanjeev Chaturvedi said that Range Officer Harish Negi and Junior Research Fellow Manoj Singh have discovered it. These terrestrial orchids were found growing on the soil during the discovery of flowers in the circle.
• Found on the ground, this species of orchid grows from five to 20 cm tall and beautiful white flowers bloom on it in May-June.
• This species has now been found in India after Japan, China and Nepal.
• It is worth noting that recently the first orchid conservation center of North India established in the village of Khalla near Gopeshwar in Chamoli district has been dedicated to the public.