Drypetes kalamii
- It is a small shrub found to be shorter version of its close relative Drypetesellisii.
- It is named after former President Abdul Kalam.
- It was found in Buxa and Jaldapara National Park of West Bengal.
- Scientists have provisionally assessed the plant to be Critically Endangered.
Features
- It is just 1 metre tall.
- It is unisexual in nature which means they have separate male and female plants.
- It is found in wet, shaded areas of subtropical moist semi-evergreen forests, at a height ranging 50-100 metres.
- It bears pale yellow flowers in clusters and bright orange to red fruits.
- The researchers compared the new plant with other Drypetes species and found differences in the leaf, flower and fruit structures.
Threats
- Forest fires and grazing are two plausible threats to the new species.
Drypetes
- It is a plant genus of the family Putranjivaceae in the order Malpighiales.
- The genus comprises about 220 species of Drypetes identified across the globe of which 20 have been reported from India.
- This adds to the rich floral wealth of India.
- These species are mostly found in Africa, southern Asia, Australia, Central America, the Caribbean and other islands.
Section : Environment & Ecology
