Question

Approximate percentage of endemic flowering plants in India is
A. 23
B. 33
C. 53
D. 63

Answer 1

Hint: Certain types of flora and fauna are found in various types of habitats. The occurrence of the plants and animals depend upon different characteristics of the environment in which they exist. The presence and growth of the organism in a particular environment are directly related to each other.

Complete answer:
The distribution and growth of the plants and animals in a particular geographical area depends on the type of the environment. Some types of species of plants found only in a particular habitat are known as endemic species. The species of plants which belong to the particular and specific area are referred to as the endemic species of plants. The endemic species are only found in their native and original habitats and are not found in any other areas.

They are important in maintaining the diversity and ecological balancing of the habitat in which they are found. An endemic species is responsible to create a balance within the ecosystem and any disruption may lead to unbalancing of the ecosystem which is bound to affect the other organism.

In India several species of plants are found due to the diverse climatic and geographical conditions. The climatic condition of India ranges from cold mountains, wetlands, plains, ghats, islands etc. and this results in great natural diversity in terms of flora and fauna. Among the plants, the species of plants that are endemic are about thirty three percent of the different plants. The areas of north-eastern India, the Western Ghats and the north-western and eastern Himalayas are rich in endemic plant species. The Gangetic plains are the areas with least endemics. According to the recent works by the different scientists, the Western Ghats and eastern Himalayas are the hotspot of the country. The important endemic species of plants are several species of orchids. In addition to this, more than four thousand varieties of angiosperms or flowering plants or about 33% is the approximate percentage of flowering plants that are endemic in India.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: The endemic species are species of organism which are not found in any other habitat or geographical area outside than their native area. The endemic species contribute towards maintaining the balance in the environment in which they survive. The angiosperms or the flowering plants contribute about more than four thousand species as endemic species. Thus, about 33% is the approximate percentage of endemic flowering plants in India.