SPECIES OF THE MONTH: APRIL 2012

THE 'PHYTOKEY' OF MADAYIPARA

Kingdom : Plantae
Division   : Angiosperms
Class        : Monocots
Order      : Poales
Family     : Eriocaulaceae
Genus      : Eriocaulon
Species    : Eriocaulon madayiparense  

A team of botanists from Malabar Botanical Garden and the Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College, Kozhikode, Kerala, has reported the discovery of a new species of plant from Kannur district. Named Eriocaulon madayiparense, the pipewort species was found at Madayipara, a laterite hillock located in the foothills of the Western Ghats, noted for its unique, fragile and threatened habitat.
 
The plant is characterised by hairy female flowers and the absence of stem and root stock. Confined to the seasonal pools or wet areas of the laterite hills, the ephemeral species flowers and fruits during
the monsoon period from August to December. The Eriocaulon genus with over 80 endemic species in India. The Madayipara area itself harbours five species. 

The present discovery also highlight the threats to ecology of the Madayipara region. The researchers feel that the discovery of new species has increased the conservation potential of the laterite hillocks with their unique ecology of aquatic and semi aquatic plants and animals. More than 500 species of plants have been recorded from the area. 

The team of discoverers include R. Prakashkumar and M.M. Swapna from the Malabar Botanical Garden and K.P. Rajesh and C.N. Manju from the Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College. The study is published in the open access journal Phytokeys dedicated to biodiversity research. 

Link to Original Paper :http://www.pensoft.net

News Source :http://www.thehindu.com