Ceropegia Shivrayiana

About Ceropegia Shivrayiana:

• It is a flowering plant species named in a nod to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
• The plant was discovered in one of his renowned forts, Vishalgad.
• It consists of unique, tubular flowers, which are specially adapted to attract moths for pollination.
• Habitat: This plant thrives in rocky terrains and is capable of growing in less nutrient-or poor soils.
• It belongs to the Asclepiadaceae family, which includes many medicinal plants, with significant ecological importance.
• Threats: Its conservation is essential due to the ongoing threat of habitat loss.

Key facts about Vishalgad Fort

• It is an ancient fort situated at Vishalgad village in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra.
• Also called Khelna or Khilna by the locals, Vishalgad Fort was one of the important forts of the Maratha Empire.
• It was built in 1058 by Shilahara king Marsinh and was initially known as Khilgil.
• The fort was under the rule of Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri, Allauddin Khilji, the Vijayanagar Empire, and then the Adil Shahi dynasty.
• In 1659, Shivaji captured the fort from Adil shah and renamed the fort 'Vishalgad'.
• Famous structures in the fort
  • The famous Dargah of Hazrat Sayed Malik Rehan Meera Saheb, which is visited by thousands of tourists, is located in the fort.
  • Temples: Amruteshwar Temple, Shri Nrusinha Temple, and Sati`s Vrindavan.

Q1: What is Gymnosperm?

These are any vascular plant that reproduces by means of an exposed seed.The seeds of many gymnosperms (literally, “naked seeds”) are borne in cones and are not visible until maturity.

Source: New flowering plant species found near Vishalgad, named after Shivaji Maharaj