A new succulent herb discovered from Thiruvananthapuram’s Kallar forest area has been named Impatiens achudanandanii in honor of former Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan’s efforts in the conservation of the Western Ghats.
- The plant grows 15–20 cm tall, has whitish-creamy flowers with yellow spots, and is found at high-lands above 1200 m.
- The team identified two more species belonging to the Impatiens genus and named them I.shailajae and I. danii. I.shailajae, found along the streams of Sangili evergreen forest in Thiruvananthapuram.
- I.shailajae is eponymous to Mrs. K.K. Shailaja, former Health Minister of Kerala.
- The three plants belong to the Balsaminaceae family which has over 1,000 species and are found in Africa, Madagascar, India, and Sri Lanka.
(Source: Indian Express)
