Two new plant species were discovered in Edmalayalar,
Pooyamkutty-Adamalayar and Neriamangalam forest regions of Western Ghats in
Ernakulam district of Kerala. . They were discovered by a team of researchers
led by Professor C.N. Sunil during investigations conducted as part of a
UGC-sponsored project on the flowering plants. The discovered species have been
christened as Vellithumpa and Eriocaulon manoharanii. Vellithumpa (Anisochilus
shoolamudianus) , It is a very rare species of shrub plant belonging to the
mint family.
The species was named after the place of
collection and was given vernacular name Vellithumpa (mean’s silver flower) as
it has white silvery hairs under the leaves and bears small white flowers with
red anthers in cylindrical closely packed clusters. Eriocaulon manoharanii, It
is herbaceous plant belonging to the pipeworts family. It was found discovered
in the wet rocky mountain grasslands of Mamalakandam-Munippara area in the Neriamangalam
forest range. The species was named after T.M. Manoharan, former Principal
Chief Conservator of Forests in recognition of his contributions to wildlife
protection and biodiversity conservation. The plant bears small white flowers
which grows in clusters and has patchy distribution which gives scenic beauty
to the valleys and grasslands.
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