Scientists discover a new fire-resilient and dual-blooming species of Dicliptera

Tags: Environment

Scientists discover a new fire-resilient and  dual-blooming species of Dicliptera 

Why in news?

• A newfire resilient dual blooming speciesexperiences a burst of flowering triggered by the grassland fires and has an inflorescence structure that is rare in Indian species has been discovered in the Western Ghats..
• A recent discovery by a team led byDr. Mandar Datar,including Talegaon-Dabhade based botanist Adittya Dharap and Ph.D. student Bhushan Shigwan, has added a new species to the genus Dicliptera, which they have named Dicliptera polymorpha. 

Features:

• Dicliptera polymorpha is a distinctive species, notable for itsfire-resilient, pyrophytic habit and its unusual dual-blooming pattern.
•  In addition to its typical post-monsoon flowering, the species exhibits a second, vigorous burst of flowering triggered by the grassland fires commonly set by locals in the region. 
• It is the only known Indian specieswith this spicate inflorescence structure, with its closest allies being found in Africa.
• The species was named Dicliptera polymorpha to reflect its diverse morphological traits.
•  Despite these harsh conditions, the species has adapted to survive and bloom twice a year. The first flowering phase occurs from post-monsoon (early November) to March or April, while the second flowering phase in May and June is triggered by fires.
• During this second phase, the woody rootstocks produce dwarf flowering shoots, leading to a more abundant but shorter flowering period.

Importance:

• The discovery of Dicliptera polymorpha holds important conservation implications. 
• The species' unique adaptation to fire and its limited habitat range in the Western Ghats highlight the need for careful management of grassland ecosystems. 
• Frequent human-induced fires, while part of the species' life cycle, must be balanced to prevent habitat degradation that could threaten its survival. 
• Protecting the grasslands from overuse and ensuring that fire management practices support biodiversity are crucial steps in conserving this newly discovered species.
• This discovery underscores the importance of preserving the Western Ghats' delicate ecosystems, which harbour many yet-to-be-discovered species with unique adaptations.
• The Western Ghats, one of India's four global biodiversity hotspots.