About the Discovery
- A new flowering plant species named Portulaca bharat has been discovered near Galtaji Temple in the Aravalli Hills, Jaipur.
- Found growing in rock crevices of dry, rocky slopes in a semi-arid landscape.
- Discovered by Nishant Chauhan, member of the Satpura Biodiversity Conservation Society.
Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)
Botanical Significance
- Belongs to the Portulaca genus, known for:
- Succulent characteristics
- Water-storing tissues
- Adaptation to arid environments
- Portulaca bharat shows distinct morphological features, confirming it as a new species after scientific comparison and cultivation.
- Described in the international journal Phytotaxa.
Ecological & Conservation Importance
- Classified as “Data Deficient” by IUCN Red List due to limited known population.
- Displays narrow endemism, found only at one location—Galtaji hills.
- Highly vulnerable to habitat degradation and climate change.
- Highlights the hidden biodiversity of the Aravalli range.
Scientific & Institutional Collaboration
- Research supported by:
- Amber Srivastava (BSI)
- Sudhanshu Shekhar Dash & Sushil Kumar Singh (BSI, Kolkata & Dehradun)
- Cultivated and studied in Hamirpur (Himachal Pradesh) and Lucknow under controlled conditions.
India’s Portulaca Diversity
- The genus has ~153 species globally, mainly in tropical/subtropical zones.
- India hosts 11 species, including 4 endemics.
- Most Indian species are adapted to dry, semi-arid habitats.
