India’s First Cryptogamic Garden

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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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