Zoo to have rare plants, flowers

PATNA: Patnaites will now be able to see some of the rarest species of flowers and plants in the city as Patna zoo has recently brought them from Kolkata. Most of these plants originally grow abroad.
One of these new rare plants is Baobab (Adansonia digitata), that grows up to a height of 98 feet with the trunk having a diameter of more than 52 feet.The trunks of these trees are also used as houses, pubs and even as bus stops in some countries.
Another plant brought here is 'White Shaving Brush Tree' (Pseudobombax Ellipticum 'Alba'), which is coveted for its unique brush-like flowers in late winter. Its leaves are first bright red and then turn to green when they get matured.
"Queensland Umbrella' (Schefflera actinophylla) - a multi-trunk evergreen tree that grows up to 49 feet and produces up to 1,000 flowers - is also on the show. 'Brownea' and 'Oroxylum Indium' are the other rare species of ornamental plants.
Besides, Patna zoo is also all set to be a home to more than 15 endangered species of plants - 'Patli', 'Hijar', 'Putranjiva', 'Safed Chandan', 'Khirni', 'Raktchandan', 'Mahogini', 'Molshree', 'Shivalingam', 'Akash Neem', 'Chalta' 'Lishora', 'Kusum', 'Ankol' and 'Reetha'.
"We are also planning to have a world-class underground aquarium with big and rare fishes in an enclosure with magnifying glasses. This project is in its initial stage right now and may take more than a year," Abhay Kumar, director, Patna zoo told TOI.
Meanwhile, zoo authorities are planning to relaunch its existing aquarium on the eve of Durga puja by beautifying it . "We are changing its glasses and lighting, and planning to add some stones, shells, plants and fibre products. We will also use filter and pump to keep the water clean," said Kumar.