A new plant species, Chlorophytum vanapushpam, was recently discovered in the Vagamon hills of Idukki district, Kerala. It belongs to the genus Chlorophytum and the family Asparagaceae. The species name ‘vanapushpam’ comes from Malayalam words ‘Vanam’ (forest) and ‘Pushpam’ (flower). It is a perennial herb closely related to Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum). It is found in rocky hills of Vagamon and Neymakkad at altitudes between 700 m and 2124 m in the Western Ghats. The plant has white clustered flowers, slender leaves, grows up to 90 cm, and lacks tubers. Flowering and fruiting occur from September to December. The Western Ghats is a major origin centre of Chlorophytum, with 18 species identified, many having medicinal properties.
This Question is Also Available in:
हिन्दीमराठीಕನ್ನಡ