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 of Keralam. The plant was found during an exploration for wild ornamental plants in the evergreen forests of Rosemala. The species was named Begonia rajvikramanii in honor of R. Raj Vikraman, a former Head of the Garden Management Division at JNTBGRI.
The new species is unique to the Rosemala area and grows on wet rocky cliffs and road-cut walls at elevations of 200-350 meters. With a population of around 200 mature individuals occupying less than 5 square kilometers, it has been classified as 'Data Deficient' by the IUCN Red List.
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