Description

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Context:

A new fire-resilient dual-blooming species experiences a burst of flowering triggered by grassland fires and has an inflorescence structure that is rare in Indian species.

It has been discovered in the Western Ghats, which are known to harbour many yet-to-be-discovered species.

Key Details:

Species Name	Dicliptera polymorpha.
Distinctive Characteristics	Fire-resilient, prophetic habit; dual-blooming pattern.
Flowering Pattern	Post-monsoon flowering (early November to March/April); second flowering phase triggered by fires (May to June).
Inflorescence Structure	Inflorescence units (cymules) develop into spicate inflorescences; only known Indian species with this structure; closest allied found in Africa.
Habitat	Thrives on slopes in open grasslands of the northern Western Ghats; exposed to extreme climatic conditions like summer droughts and human-induced fires.
Adaptation to Fires	Second flowering phase triggered by grassland fires; woody rootstocks produce dwarf flowering shoots for a shorter, abundant blooming period.
Ecological Significance	Highlights need for careful management of grassland ecosystems in the Western Ghats.
Taxonomic Significance	Named "polymorpha" due to its diverse morphological traits.

About Western Ghats

The Western Ghats, one of India's four global biodiversity hotspots, has long been a focus of exploration by the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology (DST). Over the past few decades, ARI scientists have been intensively studying the region's rich biodiversity.

Geographical Location	Stretches along the western coast of India, from Gujarat to Tamil Nadu, covering six states (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu).
Average Elevation	Ranges between 900 to 1,600 meters above sea level.
Highest Peak	Anamudi (located in Kerala) at 2,695 meters.
Peaks	Anamudi (Kerala) Doddabetta (Tamil Nadu) Kalsubai (Maharashtra) Kudremukh (Karnataka)
Major Rivers Originating	Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Tungabhadra, and Periyar.
Major Passes	Palghat Gap (Kerala-Tamil Nadu) Thal Ghat (Maharashtra) Bhor Ghat (Maharashtra)
Biodiversity Hotspot	One of the eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity in the world; home to numerous endemic species of flora and fauna.
Climate	Tropical monsoon climate; receives heavy rainfall during the monsoon season (June to September), with annual rainfall varying between 2,000-7,000 mm.
Soil Types	Lateritic soil in higher elevations; red, black, and alluvial soils in lower regions.
Vegetation	Evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. Deciduous forests. Shola forests and grasslands at higher altitudes.
UNESCO Status	Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its rich biodiversity and ecological significance.
Wildlife	Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, Indian leopard. Endemic species like the Nilgiri tahr, Lion-tailed macaque, Malabar giant squirrel.
Key National Parks	Silent Valley (Kerala) Periyar (Kerala) Bandipur (Karnataka) Anshi (Karnataka) Eravikulam (Kerala)

Source:

PIB

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.The term ‘Dicliptera’ was recently in the news. It is related to which among the following?

(a) Flower

(b) Fungus

(d) Fruit

Answer: a

Explanation:

Dicliptera polymorpha is a distinctive species, notable for its fire-resilient, pyrophytic habit and its unusual dual-blooming pattern. It is a genus of flowering plants in the bear's breeches family, Acanthaceae. It includes 223 species native to the tropics and subtropics worldwide. Well-known synonyms include Peristrophe and Dactylostegium.