Scientists discover new herb in Kerala's Western Ghats
Scientists just found a brand-new herb, Chlorophytum vanapushpam, growing on the rocky hills of Vagamon and Neymakkad in Kerala.
This perennial plant can reach 90cm tall and shows off small clusters of white flowers.
The discovery was recently published by a team from several Kerala colleges.
Vanapushpam doesn't have tubers like safed musli
Unlike its better-known cousin safed musli, vanapushpam doesn't have tubers and has bigger seeds—about 4-5mm wide.
It grows high up (700-2124 meters) and blooms between September and December.
Its name comes from Malayalam words for "forest" (vanam) and "flower" (pushpam), which is pretty fitting for its wild home.
New find adds to the list of unique plants
The Western Ghats are already famous for their unique plants, including 18 types of Chlorophytum—many with medicinal uses.
Finding a new species here adds to our knowledge of the region's biodiversity, reminding us there's still so much to discover right in our backyard.