Indopottia Himalayensis

Indopottia Himalayensis Latest News

Recently, scientists from the Botanical Survey of India have discovered a new species of moss and named it as Indopottia himalayensis. 

About Indopottia Himalayensis

• It is a new moss species discovered from high-altitude forests of the Western Himalayas in Uttarakhand state.
• It is only the third species of its kind ever identified globally.
• Other two species reside far away in the Western Ghats of southern India and the mountains of  Thailand.
• The research team chose the name Indopottia himalayensis as a tribute to the magnificent Himalayan mountain range.
• Features
  • It is entirely terrestrial, thriving directly on soil-covered rocks.
  • It grows slightly taller reaching up to 13 millimetres in length, and features a perfectly rounded stem.
  • This moss produces a single, upright, cylindrical spore-capsule.
  • This capsule features a distinctive lid that bends sideways when dry.
  • Its leaves lack the specific patch of transparent, bulging cells found in its closest relatives.

Key Facts about Moss

• It is a small nonvascular spore-bearing land plant belonging to the taxonomic division Bryophyta.
• It is among the earliest land plants and has colonised some of the harshest environments on the planet, including Antarctica, volcanic fields, and deserts.
• Types of Moss: There are three main types: peat moss, granite moss and true moss.
• Distribution:  Mosses are distributed throughout the world except in salt water.
• Habitat: It is the small plant commonly found in damp, shady spots is already known for its resilience on Earth.

Source: RM

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