Conocarpus trees

• Gujarat has banned the invasive tree species- ‘Conocarpus’ plantation in forest or non-forest area, underlining its “adverse impacts on environment and human health”.
• Earlier, Telangana had also banned the plant species, which is widely used in public spaces for its ornamental looks but is known to have adverse effects on the local biodiversity.

ABOUT CONOCARPUS

• Conocarpus is an evergreen species with dark-green shiny leaves.
• It is an exotic mangrove species native to parts of North and South America as well as parts of Africa.
• It is a fast-growing species which is reported to be not palatable to wild herbivores or domesticated animals.
• Trees of this species flower in winter and spread pollen in nearby areas. It is learnt that this is causing diseases like cold, cough, asthma, allergy etc.
• Roots of this species go deep inside soil and develop extensively, damaging telecommunication lines, drainage lines and freshwater systems.