According the NeBIO-an international journal on environment and biodiversity, two new plant species belonging to the Asclepiadaceae or milkweed family have been discovered from the shola forests of the Western Ghats. These two plants are Tylophora balakrishnanii and Tylophora neglecta. Latex in plant parts and pappus seeds are the general characteristics of the family.
About Tylophora balakrishnanii
- It is a straggling vine and has been discovered from the Thollayiram shola in Wayanad, a biodiversity hotspot in the Nilgiri biosphere reserve.
- The tuberous species has been discovered by a team of researchers led by Salim Pitchen and Jose Mathew
- Flowers of the plant are reddish pink and the species is similar to the coastal plant Tylophora flexuosa.
- The species has been christened after V. Balakrishnan, member-secretary, Kerala State Biodiversity Board, and former director of the MSSRF, Wayanad, in recognition of his contributions to biodiversity.
About Tylophora neglecta
- It has been discovered from the shola forest on the Thooval Mala hill under the Achencoil division in Kollam.
- The flowers of the species are white with a violet tinge.
- Its leaves are thick and bristly in nature.
