Question

What is the difference between flora, fauna and vegetation? Eichhornia crassipes is called as an exotic species while Rauwolfia serpentina is an endemic species in India. What do these terms exotic and endemic refer to?

Answer 1

Definitions

Flora	Fauna	Vegetation
Flora refers to plants of a given geographical area.	Fauna refers to animals of a given geographical area.	Vegetation is a general term and includes plant species as well as area. ground cover.

Definition and Examples

• Exotic species are those which are introduced from outside.
• Endemic species are indigenous.
• Eichhornia crassipes commonly known as common water hyacinth, also called, is an aquatic plant. It is native to South America.
• As Eichhornia crassipes was introduced from other country it is considered as exotic species.
• Rauwolfia serpentina native to the Indian subcontinent and is effective for treatment of hypertension.
• As Rauwolfia serpentina is of Indian origin it is an endemic species.