Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Biodiversity
Why in News?
Researchers from Annamalai University have discovered a new plant species in the grape family in the southern Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu (Villupuram district, Sanjeevi Hill).
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Morphological Features |
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Cyphostemma annamalaii |
Cyphostemma setosum (Allied Species) |
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Leaves |
Starts with three leaves and ends with three.
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Starts with a single leaf and ends with three leaves. |
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Flowers |
Petals white or yellow.
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Petals are greenish-white on the top half, becoming reddish-brown. |
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Fruit |
Round, yellow fruit
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Ovate-shaped (egg-shaped) fruit that is red. |
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Root |
Tuberous root system.
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(Not specifically detailed in the text, but noted for medicinal properties). |
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Distinctiveness |
Morphology clearly separates it from allied species; confirmed by expert review in Phytotaxa. |
Known for its use in treating stomach ulcers and its antidiabetic and antimicrobial properties. |
Reference
