Cycas Pectinata
17-04-2023
1 min read
Overview:
Recently, a new study by five botanists has revealed that the Cycas pectinata plant’s existence in the Himalayan country is threatened by overcollection as an ornamental plant and habitat destruction.
About Cycas Pectinata:
- It belongs to the family Cycadaceae.
- It is an evergreen, palm-like plant which is the only cycad species found in Bhutan.
- Cycads are one of the most ancient gymnosperms, possibly originating in the late Carboniferous period 300-325 million years ago and reaching the greatest diversity during the Jurassic-Cretaceous period.
- Gymnosperms have open-to-air unfertilised seeds to be directly fertilised by pollination.
- Conservation status
- IUCN: Vulnerable
- Significance:
- The genetic information contained in cycads makes them valuable for scientific research and conservation.
- These are bridges in major evolutionary transitions in plants and remain indispensable for understanding the origin and subsequent evolution of seed plants.
- It has cultural and economic significance for native populations.
- Some locals in northeast India use the plant for religious ceremonies.
- Locals in some places (of Bhutan) use its seeds as a supplement to their diet and young leaves are eaten as a substitute for vegetables
Q1) What is an angiosperm tree?
An angiosperm tree is a type of tree that belongs to the angiosperm family, which includes all flowering plants. Angiosperm trees produce seeds that are enclosed within a fruit, such as an apple or an acorn.
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