India’s First Cryptogamic Garden

  • IASbaba
  • July 14, 2021
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India’s First Cryptogamic Garden

Part of: GS Prelims and GS – III -Sci and Tech

In news Recently, India’s first cryptogamic garden was inaugurated in the Chakrata town of Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

  • The garden will be housing nearly 50 species of lichens, ferns and fungi (collectively known as Cryptogamae)

What are Cryptogams?

  • A cryptogam is a plant that reproduces with the help of spores.
  • The word “Cryptogamae” implies ‘hidden reproduction’, referring to the fact that they do not produce any reproductive structure, seed, or flower.
  • Due to this, they are called “flowerless” or “seedless plants” or ‘lower plants’.
  • They need a moist environment to survive.
  • These are present in aquatic and terrestrial places.
  • Algae, bryophytes, lichens, ferns and fungi are the best-known groups of cryptogams.

What are the Factors Responsible for Location of this Garden?

  • This garden is at Deoban in Chakrata at a height of 9,000 ft.
  • This site is chosen because of its low pollution levels and moist conditions which are conducive for the growth of these species.
  • Further, Deoban has pristine majestic forests of Deodar and Oak which create a natural habitat for cryptogamic species.

Do you know?

  • Plant kingdom can be divided into two sub-kingdoms viz. Cryptogams and phanerogams.
  • Cryptogams consist of seedless plants and plant-like organisms whereas phanerogams consist of seed-bearing plants.
  • Phanerogams are further divided into two classes i.e. gymnosperms and angiosperms.

News Source: IE

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