Forked Fanwort

Why in news?

• Avalapandi a village in Kerala’s Kozhikode district is in news widespread growth of an aquatic plant called Forked fanwort that has painted the water bodies there pink.

About Forked Fanwort:

• Cabomba furcata is a species of aquatic plant in the water shield family known by the common names red cabomba and forked fanwort.
• It is native to South America and as far north as Cuba and the tip of Florida.
• It reaches a maximum height between 30 and 80 cm and is up to 8 cm wide. It bears purple flowers.
• Cabomba is a submerged perennial aquatic plant that grows in stagnant to slow-flowing freshwater and is often used as an aquarium plant.
• The plant has a high natural dispersal potential due to its ability to readily fragment and spread both actively and passively.
• Hence it can quickly turn into an invasive species which will spread in the water bodies across the state, choking them as well as the drainage canals.

Prelims Question

Consider the following statements: 
1.Invasive alien species is the second-biggest cause for biodiversity loss after habitat destruction. 
2.Seemai karuvelam, recently in news, is a major invasive species in South India.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
(a)1 only 
(b)2 only 
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to prelims question