This new parasitic plant in Nagaland steals food from other plants
The newly discovered species of parasitic plant has been named as Gleadovia konyakianorum, in honour of the Konyak tribe of Nagas.
Scientists have discovered a new parasitic plant in Nagaland that doesn't have chlorophyll of its own and has to steal food from other plants to survive.
It was identified during a botanical exploration earlier this year near Tobu town of Mon district in eastern Nagaland.
What is meant by Chlorophyll?
It is the green substance in plants that allows it to trap sun light and uses its energy to synthesise carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water. The process is known as photosynthesis.
More about the newly discovered parasitic plant
- The scientists have named the new found species as Gleadovia konyakianorum, in honour of the Konyak tribe of Nagas
- It is a root parasite that grows up to 10 cm in height, and bears white, tubular flowers
- Though it is has no chlorophyll, the plant has a vascular system and extracts its nutrition from the host plant with the help of a haustorium
- This is only the fourth species from the genus Gleadovia to be found in the world. The other three are Gleadovia banerjiana , Gleadovia mupinense and Gleadovia ruborum
- The researchers found the white flowering parasite in a group of 15-20 plants and as they couldn't find the species report anywhere else the scientists described its status as 'data deficient' in accordance with the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species Criteria.
The study has been published in the journalPhytotaxa.
(Main image source: The Morung Express)
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