Lepidagathis Konkanensis

Lepidagathis Konkanensis Latest News

A team of researchers recently discovered a new species of wildflower named Lepidagathis konkanensis, tucked away on the sun-drenched, rocky plateaus of Maharashtra’s Konkan region.

About Lepidagathis Konkanensis

• It is a new species of flowering plant.
• It was discovered in the Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra’s Konkan region.
• It was first encountered during a floristic survey of the region’s lateritic plateaus, harsh, iron-rich environments that often host specialised life forms. 
• It is currently only known to exist in a small area of less than 65 sq.km.
• It is unique with its striking appearance and compact size. 
  • While many of its cousins have pink or pale flowers and long flowering spikes, this new species features bright yellow, two-lipped blossoms and very short, dense flowering heads that measure only about two centimetres. 
  • It also has smaller seeds and a shorter style—the part of the flower that receives pollen—than its closest relatives. 
• The plant’s name, konkanensis, serves as a tribute to the Konkan region of Maharashtra where it was found.
  • This area is geographically isolated by the Arabian Sea to the west and the Sahyadri Mountains to the east, creating a cradle for evolution where unique species can develop in isolation.
• Scientists have recommended it be classified as Data Deficient by the IUCN.

Source: RM

‹ ›