According to the Botanical Survey of India’s Plant Discoveries 2017 report released last month, 239 new plant species were discovered in 2017 across the country. Here are some of the newest species on the list, as well as more recent plant discoveries made earlier this year.
Drypetes kalamii
Named after the late Dr. Kalam, this medicinal shrub was discovered in Buxa National Park and Jaldapara National Park. Just one metre tall, it is a shorter version of Drypetes ellisii, and is a close relative of Putranjiva roxburghii, a rare medicinal plant. Unisex in nature, it has separate male and female plants. The shrub is being categorised as critically endangered as it is only found in wet, shaded areas of subtropical and moist semi-evergreen forests, at heights of 50-100 metres, and faces constant threats from forest fires and grazing animals.
New ginger species
Researchers from the Botanical Survey of India recently found two new varieties of this ubiquitous kitchen ingredient. Hedychium chingmeianum was discovered in Tuensang district of Nagaland. It grows on trunks of tall trees and has reddish stems. Caulokaempferia dinabandhuensis was discovered in the Shirui Hills of Ukhrul in Manipur. Unlike the former, this specie was found in rock crevices, boulders and humus-rich soil. For excellent indoor plant choices, visit laweekly.com.
Balsam
Adding to the 230 balsam species already known, four new species were discovered in Arunachal Pradesh. Impatiens Haridasanii was discovered in Pongchan and was identified with small yellow flowers and hairy leaves. It was named after former scientist Haridasan because of his work in the north-eastern States. Another species, Impatiens pseudocitrina, was found in Anjaw district. This species has bright yellow flowers with red spots on the throat and the spur. Impatiens nilalohitae was discovered in the Lower Dibang valley. It has dark purple flowers with pale yellow throat and green stalk.And finally, Impatiens roingensis was found in Roing and Upper Siang. It has clustered white flowers with yellow patch on the mouth and a hooked spur.
Cobra lily
After more than 80 years, two types of cobra lily have been rediscovered in the Nilgiris by dentist and naturalist Tarun Chhabra, and botanist K.M. Prabhukumar of the Centre for Medicinal Plants Research (Kerala). The discovery is of prime importance as this particular species is known to be found only in southern India. Arisaema translucens was found in Thia Shola, a small patch of shola forest (patches of stunted trees amidst grasslands), and Arisaema tuberculatum was discovered in Pennant’s valley forest areas.
Fimbristylis agasthyamalaensis
Researchers at University College, Kerala discovered a new plant in the Western Ghats. This grass-like plant has been named after the locality in which it was found. As the species is highly susceptible to wild grazing, it has been categorised as ‘critically endangered’. It belongs to the Cyperaceae family of which 87 varieties are found in the Western Ghats.
Source: EE Newsroom
—