Anaphalis sahyadrica

Anaphalis sahyadrica Latest News

A team of botanists recently discovered a new plant species named  Anaphalis sahyadrica in the southern Western Ghats.

About Anaphalis sahyadrica

• It is a new plant species belonging to the sunflower family.
• The plant was found in high-altitude montane grasslands and shola forest margins of the Western Ghats, including regions such as Anamudi and Meesapulimala in Kerala.
• It is a subshrub that grows at elevations above 2,200 metres above sea level.
• Its key identifying features include smooth, hairless leaves with three prominent veins. 
• The plant grows up to about one metre in height and produces 90 to 120 white, hemispherical flower heads (capitula). 

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 What is a Subshrub?

• A subshrub is a type of plant that has some characteristics of both a shrub and an herb. 
• It typically has woody stems at the base, but the top of the plant is herbaceous and lacks woody tissue.  
• This means that while the base of the plant is woody, the top of the plant is soft and green. 
• Subshrubs are often smaller in size than shrubs and are usually less than 3 feet tall. 
• They are also often more delicate and less hardy than shrubs, which means they are better suited to milder climates. 
• A shrub, on the other hand, is a woody plant that typically has multiple stems or branches. 
  • Shrubs are often used in landscaping and gardening because of their hardiness and versatility. 
  • They are often used as hedges or as a backdrop for other plants in a garden.

Source: TH