New Pipewort Species Discovered in India
Posted on March 20, 2012
A team of botanists have discovered a new species of pipewort (Eriocaulon) on the foot hills of the Western Ghats in India. The foot hills are a unique habitat formed of laterite outcrops. The foot hills are a barren land during summer, but when the monsoon rains start they sprout vibrant plant carpets in blue, pink and white.
Dr K.P. Rajesh of the Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College (ZGC), says, "It is a treasure trove of unique plants to the botanists, but considered just a wasteland, or a dump by the authorities. Many more unique and unknown plants still await discovery in such areas."
The scientists say the fragile habitat in the Western Ghats needs to be conserved. They warn it is "very difficult to replicate the exact conditions of the Laterite pools in the gardens." The study was published in the open access journal PhytoKeys.