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Uniyala keralensis New Plant Species Discovered in Kerala's Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve.

Environment | Dated: 24 Mar 2025

In March 2025, researchers discovered a new plant species, Uniyala keralensis (family Asteraceae), in the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. This dense shrub with light purple flowers has been confirmed as a distinct species of the genus Uniyala, separating it from Vernonia. The species has been named after the State of Kerala. The discovery was published in the journal Phytotaxa.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The researchers, Ettickal Sukumaran Santhosh Kumar and Sainudeen Shareef from the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Thiruvananthapuram, first collected a specimen in 1998.
  • - Comparative studies confirmed that the 1998 specimen differed enough from other Uniyala species to be designated as a new species.
  • - The genus Uniyala is named after plant taxonomist B.P. Uniyal, comprising 11 species distributed across Southern India and Sri Lanka.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) Uniyala keralensis is a shrub species that grows 1 to 3 meters in height, with light purple florets. It differs from related species by having larger leaves, longer petioles, and fewer lateral veins. The species flowers and fruits from August to April.
  • (ii) The species is found in open areas on the western mountain slopes of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR), at elevations ranging from 700 to 1,400 meters.
  • (iii) The current population of Uniyala keralensis consists of nearly 5,000 individuals across four subpopulations in a 250 square km area and is assessed as Data Deficient (DD) under the IUCN Red List.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Which new plant species was recently discovered in Kerala's Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve?

Correct Answer: Uniyala keralensis

🚀 Quick Recap:

About Kerala

  • Chief minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
  • Governor: Rajendra ArlekarGovernor: Rajendra Arlekar