Discovery of new plant species in Western Ghats

Context

Three research scholars have discovered a new plant in Ponmudi hills in Kerala which is part of the Western Ghats, one of the eight hotspots of biological diversity in the world.

About the newly discovered plant species

• The plant is named as Symplocos Mohananii.
• The tree is very endemic in nature.
• It looks like other plants of the genus Symplocos.
• The plant was spotted from a hill which was about 3000 feet above sea level.
• Plant carries white coloured flowers and they could not record opening of flowers so far.
• White- coloured flowers usually open at night.
• Plants of this family are commonly known as sweet leaf plants locally.
• Bark of a few species is also used to treat skin diseases by tribals and also for dye-making.