Article Title: New flowering plant species discovered in Aravalli hills near Jaipur
17-06-2025
Environment & Ecology Current Affairs Analysis
Context
• A new flowering plant species with unusual morphological characteristics has been discovered in the rocky and semi-arid landscape of Aravali hills near Jaipur, shedding light on the region’s hidden biodiversity.
• Classified as Portulaca bharat, the plant adds to the list of Indian endemics.
• With no other populations currently known, Portulaca bharat has been provisionally assessed as “data deficient” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List guidelines.
• The plant’s narrow endemism and specific habitat requirements make it highly vulnerable to habitat degradation and climate change.
• The genus Portulaca currently comprises about 153 species worldwide, primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions.
• These plants are known for their toughness, water-storing tissues, and adaptation to extreme environments.
• In India, 11 species are currently known, including four endemics, mostly distributed in dry and semi-arid habitats
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