Bangalore :
Karnataka’s flora is in full bloom online, thanks to an internet database launched by the Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), on Thursday.
The database enables researchers as well as laypersons to key in the name of any plant species to find out the regions to which it is endemic, the key identification features, habit and distribution locality, among others. At present, the database can be accessed only by IISc faculty. It will be open to all after two weeks.
“This is good news for researchers. They can get details of 5,216 plants with their origin in Karnataka,” K Shankar Rao, distinguished fellow of CES, said. The database is perhaps the first online herbarium to cover the entire flora of any state in the country. He hoped the portal will create awareness about Karnataka’s rich floral heritage.
The online herbarium will help in deciding whether any hydroelectric or other project can be undertaken in certain areas. “People can raise objections if any endangered species is damaged due to the project by checking our database for plants endemic to those areas,” he said.
Shankar, who retired as biochemistry professor from IISc nine years ago, has worked for eight years with 14 other faculty members of the institute to develop the database.
They are endangered
Hopea Ponga: Found in the Western Ghats, it is a lofty tree with simple leaves which are up to 23 cm long and 7.5 cm broad with a swollen petiole. The tree can grow up to 18 metres. It produces gall which is mistaken as fruit.
Prunus Ceylanica: This tree grows up to 20 metres and is found in the Western Ghats. The leaves have a blunt tip and the tree yields white flowers.
Pterocarpus Marsupium: Also known Indian Kino Tree, it is found in the Ghats and can grow up to 30 metres. In Karnataka, it is known as Kempu Honne. It is used in ayurvedic medicines and in producing insulin.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore> Namma Metro / TNN / January 31st, 2014