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Discovery of new plant species in Western Ghats

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Environment
  • Published
    17th Aug, 2021

Three research scholars have discovered a new plant in Ponmudi hills in Kerala which is part of the Western Ghats, one of the eight hotspots of biological diversity in the world.

Context

Three research scholars have discovered a new plant in Ponmudi hills in Kerala which is part of the Western Ghats, one of the eight hotspots of biological diversity in the world.

About the newly discovered plant species

  • The plant is named as Symplocos Mohananii.
  • The tree is very endemic in nature.
  • It looks like other plants of the genus Symplocos.
  • The plant was spotted from a hill which was about 3000 feet above sea level.
  • Plant carries white coloured flowers and they could not record opening of flowers so far.
  • White- coloured flowers usually open at night.
  • Plants of this family are commonly known as sweet leaf plants locally.
  • Bark of a few species is also used to treat skin diseases by tribals and also for dye-making.

Western Ghats, rich in endemic flora and fauna, stretched from Gujarat to Kerala, also a UNESCO heritage site which plays an important role in climatic condition of the country.

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