Orchid Flower Named on PU Faculty 

 Chandigarh, November 13, 2021: On the basis of significant contributions and achievements in the field of Indian Orchidology, Prof Prromila Pathak, Chairperson, Botany Department, Panjab University Chandigarh  has been honoured with an orchid hybrid namely, Phalaenopsis Promila Pathak White  on her name which has been registered at Royal Horticultural Society, London by an Indian Orchidologist, Dr Raj Kumar Kishor, MD, Kwaklei & Khonggunmelei Orchids Pvt. Ltd., Imphal Manipur, India.
 
Prof Pathak is instrumental in developing strategies for sustainable development of orchids. Besides guiding many research students, she has handled various research projects and imparted training in scientific development and cultivation of orchids to a large number of students  and enthusiasts.

Known for her selfless and dedicated commitment  and significant contributions  to scientific development and promotion of Indian orchids; she has been actively pursuing researches for the past over 35 years in Diversity, Developmental biology, Micropropagation, Restoration Ecology and Conservation of floriculturally  and medicinally important Indian orchids.
 
Orchids with nearly 28,237 species represent a group of botanically interesting and commercially significant plants which have made a distinct place among the plants with economic value by virtue of their various characteristics; beautiful flowers with long retention of cut flowers; as a source of flavoring and food; and due to their medicinal value.  Because of their morphological variability and uniqueness in beauty decked with sweet fragrances, they are undoubtedly the ornamental elite in floriculture all over the world.
 
These are highly priced in the international florist trade due to their intricately designed spectacular flowers with brilliant colours, delightful appearance, myriad sizes, shapes, forms and long lasting qualities and account for multimillion-dollar cut flowers industry in many countries including Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and USA.
 
In India, 1,256 species or taxa of orchids belong to 155 genera amongst which 388 species are endemic. Ashtavarga (group of eight medicinal plants) is vital part of Ayurvedic formulations like Chywanprasha and four plants i.e., Habenaria intermedia (Ridhi), H. acuminata (Vridhi), Malaxis acuminata (Rishbhaka), and M. muscifera (Jeevak) are members of family Orchidaceae. 
 
These plants are widely used as raw drugs in the Ayurvedic medicines and also used as traditional medicine to cure a variety of human ailments like fever, diabetes, rheumatism, malignant ulcer, nervous disorders, tuberculosis, and uterine disorders etc., by local people, in different areas. These properties are because of the presence of phytochemical constituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols etc.