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A new plant species in the Kudremukh range of the Western Ghats in Karnataka, named after a professor from Madras Christian College.
- Scientific name - Impatiens selvasinghii.
- It is known for being the smallest-flowered species within the genus Impatiens in the Western Ghats.
- Nomenclature – Named it after P. Selva Singh Richard, a botany professor from Madras Christian College, for his contributions to studying the Impatiens genus.
- Discovery location - Kudremukh National Park in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka.
- Features - It is a flowering plant, belongs to balsam species.
- It has an unique morphology including pendulous flowers and a deeply lobed wing petal.
- It is small, deep pink to orange-pink flowers.
- It differs from its closely related species, such as Impatiens herbicola, by its absence of a distinct petiolar gland, pendulous flowers, lanceolate leaves, and prominently lobed wing petals.
- Habitat - The plant grows on wet rocks in evergreen forests and grasslands.
- Conservation status - IUCN Red list - Data Deficient (DD).
- Genus Impatiens –
- The genus Impatiens belongs to the family Balsaminaceae and contains over 1,000 species, commonly known as jewelweed, touch-me-not, and impatiens.
- Many Impatiens are annuals or perennials, with some developing as semi-succulent herbs.
- Distribution - Impatiens plants are found in the tropics and subtropics of the World, with major biodiversity hotspots in tropical Africa, Madagascar, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
- They are popular in horticulture, with species like Impatiens walleriana (busy Lizzie) and New Guinea impatiens being widely cultivated.
- Impatiens plants are also recognized for their potential medicinal properties, containing various bioactive compounds like flavonoids and coumarins
- In India, the genus Impatiens is represented by more than 280 taxa, chiefly distributed in the Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats.
- Over 210 taxa are endemic to India, of which 130 are endemic to the Western Ghats, and 80% of taxa in the Western Ghats are categorized as endangered.
Reference
Times of India | Impatiens selvasinghii
