Why in News?
Tetrataenium paikadae is in the news following its discovery as a new plant species in the high-altitude grasslands of the Western Ghats, specifically within Eravikulam National Park in Kerala's Idukki district.
Key Information
- Recent Discovery: A research team from St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Devagiri (Kozhikode) identified and described the species in early February 2026.
- Scientific Recognition: The discovery was formally documented in the Nordic Journal of Botany, a peer-reviewed international scientific journal based in Sweden.
- Second Major Find: This is the second discovery from the carrot family by the same research team in this park within four months, following Tetrataenium manilalianum in October 2025.
- Taxonomy: Belongs to the Apiaceae (carrot/umbel) family, which includes common plants like carrots, coriander, and fennel.
- Physical Characteristics:
- Habit: A perennial herb growing to a height of 30 to 80 cm.
- Stems & Leaves: Features densely stiff-haired (hirsute) stems and broadly ovate or rounded leaflets.
- Flowers: Produces clusters of small white flowers arranged in symmetric umbels.
- Distinctive Features: Distinguished from closely related species (like T. ceylanicum) by the number and structural arrangement of oil tubes (vittae) in its fruits (mericarps).
- Habitat & Distribution:
- Endemic: Found exclusively in the Western Ghats.
- Environment: Thrives in moist, marshy grasslands at elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 metres above sea level.
- Phenology: Typically, flowers from July to September and bears fruit from October to November.
- Named After: Dedicated to the late Rev. Father Joseph Paikada CMI, a former Principal of St. Joseph’s College, Devagiri, in honour of his contributions to education.
- Research Team: Led by research scholar C. Rekha under the guidance of Dr. K. M. Manudev, along with researchers M. K. Prasanth and T. P. Aswindas.
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