A new tree species of genus Cryptocarya at Edamalakkudi in Idukki district has been named after a tribe of the locality.
‘Cryptokarya muthuvariana’ is named in honor of the Muthuvar tribe and as it was discovered in their neighbourhood, the researchers responsible for the identification said.
Anales botanici fenikisA scientific journal published by the Finnish Zoological and Botanical Publishing Board has published findings on the new species by R Jagadeesan, a former researcher at the Kerala University’s Department of Botany; A. Gangaprasad, Professor, Department of Botany, and Director, Center for Biodiversity Conservation, University of Kerala; and Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Palode K P Suresh Kumar and Sam P Mathew.
during the survey
Belonging to the Lauraceae family, the genus Cryptocarya includes over 300 species that are widely distributed in South America, South Africa, Madagascar, Asia, Australia, and Oceania. The researchers came across the new species during a survey on endemic and threatened species of the Western Ghats. Detailed study showed it to be a distinct species.
‘Cryptocarya muthuvariana’ grows to a height of about 10 to 15 meters and is not characterized by being very broad. The researchers only saw about 10 different trees of the species in the area. He said that the Western Ghats is home to about nine species of the Cryptocarya genus.
The team underlined the need to study aspects related to the ecological importance, medicinal value and sustainable use of new tree species.
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