Drypetes kalamii

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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