Chlorophytum Vanapushpam

Chlorophytum Vanapushpam 

Researchers during a field exploration in Idukki district’s Vagamon hills have identified a new species of the genus Chlorophytum and named the new species as Chlorophytum vanapushpam.       

About Chlorophytum Vanapushpam

• It is a perennial herb belonging to the genus Chlorophytum (family Asparagaceae).
• It is a close relative of the safed musli.
• It has been found in the rocky hills of Vagamon and Neymakkad – parts of the Western Ghats regions of Idukki district – at elevations between 700 m and 2124 m.
• The species name vanapushpam is a composite of ‘Vanam’ and ‘Pushpam,’ the Malayalam for forest and flower respectively.
• Features of Chlorophytum vanapushpam: 
  • It has white flowers in small clusters and slender leaves and grows up to 90 cm in height.
  • But unlike its more famous cousin Chlorophytum borivilianum, Chlorophytum vanapushpam lacks tubers.
  • Its seeds are about 4 to 5 mm across. Flowering and fruiting occurs from September to December.
• The Western Ghats region is thought to be a centre of origin of the genus Chlorophytum.
• A total of 18 species have been identified here so far, with many of them exhibiting  medicinal properties.
• One of these is the Chlorophytum borivilianum, more familiar to Indians as the ‘safed musli,’ a herb widely used in traditional medical preparations and also popular as a leaf vegetable.

Source: TH

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