New orchid hybrids named after Mt Koubru, Mt Thangjing
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 25 2024:
To mark the observance of International Day for Biological Diversity-2024, Kwaklei and Khonggunmelei (K&K) Orchids Pvt Ltd, Imphal has named and registered two new orchid hybrids as Rhynchanthe Mount Koubru and Vanda Mount Thangjing to show reverence to Mt Koubru and Mt Thangjing respectively.
In a release, K&K Orchids Pvt Ltd MD & chief scientist Dr Rajkumar Kishor informed that another new orchid hybrid has also been registered as Ae-ridovada Rajkumari Babita in honour of his elder sister Dr Rajkumari Babita.
Rhynchanthe Mount Koubru is an orchid resulting from hybridisation between Papil-ionanthe vandarum (as female) and Rhynchostylis gigantea alba (as male); while Vanda Mount Thangjing resulted from a cross between Vanda bicolor (as female) and Vanda flavobrunnea (as male).
Aeridovanda Rajkumari Babita resulted from a cross involving Aerides odorata (as female) and Vanda bicolor (as male).
Except for Rhynchostylis gigantea, which is from Thailand, all of the parent orchids are native species, he mentioned.
Dr RK Kishor also conveyed that besides having religious and cultural significance, Mt Koubru and Mt Thangjing ranges are few of the hill ranges in North East India having rich biological diversity.
This hill range is home to many animals including stump tailed macaque, Assam macaque, clouded leopard, golden cat, leopard, Himalayan black bear, barking deer, serow, fox, wild boar, pangolin, porcupine, red giant flying squirrel, smooth-coated otter, etc.
Various tree species including magnolia, taxus, oak, pine, bamboo, etc., are grown as the climax vegetation in the range.
Reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, etc., are also richly found, he pointed out.
He continued that an unimaginable microbial diversity is still awaiting discovery as this hill range is also home to numerous orchid species including Aerides, Arachnis, Aca-mpe, Bulbophyllum, Calenthe, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Eria, Flickengeria, Liparis, Oberonia, Phalaenopsis, Renanthera, Vanda, Thunia, Vandopsis, Vanda, etc.
However, scientific documentation and mapping of the mountain ranges are still missing till today, he added.
Dr RK Kishor pointed out that orchids are being proposed as potential bioindicators for climate change as they have low tolerance to changes in their environment.
A slight disturbance in their micro-environment poses a threat to their survival.
Therefore, their natural habitats must be protected at any cost, he emphasised.
Dr RK Kishor maintained that registration of two new orchid hybrids in the name of Mt Koubru and Mt Thangjing is an act of showing reverence to the natural guardians of the people of Manipur.
People in the region must work together to repair and reverse the already damaged ecosystem, he stressed.