Keralam researchers discover a new species of genus Begonia in Western Ghats
Species christened Begonia rajvikramanii after R. Raj Vikraman, former Head of the Garden Management Division, JNTBGRI
Researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) in Thiruvananthapuram have discovered a new species of the genus Begonia in Kollam district, Western Ghats. The plant, named Begonia rajvikramanii in honor of R. Raj Vikraman, former Head of the Garden Management Division at JNTBGRI, was found growing on wet rocky cliffs in Rosemala.
The discovery comes at a time when the Western Ghats region is being considered for Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) by the Keralam government. The new species is currently known only from its type locality and is morphologically similar to Begonia tenera Dryander but differs in several physical characteristics. Begonia rajvikramanii is currently assessed as 'Data Deficient' by the IUCN Red List due to the need for further comprehensive assessment.
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