Why in news?
A group of botanists from the University of Calcutta, the University of Kashmir and the Sikkim government discovered a new flowering plant in the alpine meadows of eastern Sikkim. The herb has lavender petals covered with fine white hairs and has been named Melanoseris pendryi in honour of botanist Dr Colin Pendry. Only about 32 mature plants were found within a tiny area, leading researchers to recommend that it be classified as “Critically Endangered”.
Background
Melanoseris pendryi belongs to the daisy family (Asteraceae). It was found during a floristic survey in the remote Lungthun and Thombu areas of east Sikkim at altitudes above 4,000 m. The plant grows close to the ground and survives harsh alpine conditions using a fleshy, branching root system. It differs from related species such as M. lessertiana and M. qinghaica in several ways.
Distinctive features
- The lavender petals (ligules) are covered with long white hairs on their underside, a characteristic not seen in other species of the genus.
- Flowers have a shorter reproductive tube and larger, stout seeds compared with their relatives.
- The herb grows in cushion‑like mats among alpine shrubs and has fleshy roots to store nutrients.
- The species was named after Dr Colin Pendry of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for his contributions to Himalayan botany.
Conservation issues
Researchers located only 32 mature individuals in a 2.5‑sq‑km area. High‑altitude meadows in Sikkim are under pressure from tourism and grazing, and the new species’ tiny population makes it extremely vulnerable. Therefore, the scientists propose listing it as Critically Endangered and urge habitat protection.
Sources: Research Matters