New plant species

About New plant species

• A new plant species named Polygonum Chaturbhujanum has been discovered at Gol Pahadi island of PTR.
• It is a herb.
• Six plant species endemic to India have also been found in Pench.
• They are Aegineta indica, Boerhavia crispa, Habenaria gibsonii var foetida, Iphigenia pallida, Petalidium barlerioides and Barleria gibsoniii.

Key facts about the Pench Tiger Reserve

• It is located in the southern reaches of the Satpura hills in the Seoni and Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh and continues in Nagpur district in Maharashtra as a separate Sanctuary. 
• It is named after the Pench River, which flows from north to south through the Reserve.
• It comprises of the Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park, the Pench Mowgli Sanctuary and a buffer.
• Terrain: It is undulating, with most of the area covered by small hills and steep slopes on the sides. 
• Vegetation: The undulating topography supports a mosaic of vegetation ranging from a moist, sheltered valley to an open, dry-deciduous forest.
• Flora: Teak, saag, mahua, and various grasses and shrubs etc.
• Fauna: Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Gaur (Indian Bison) and wild boar,tiger, dogs and wolf.

Q1) What are herbs?

Herbs are the leaf part of a plant that is used in cooking - these can be used fresh or dried. Consuming herbs may help to prevent and manage heart disease, cancer and diabetes. It may also help to reduce blood clots and provide anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour properties. 

Source: New plant species discovered in Maharashtra's Pench Tiger Reserve: Forest official