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Scientists of the Botanical Survey of India's Southern Regional Centre, Coimbatore, have described Osbeckia ulotricha, a new flowering plant of the family Melastomataceae.
It was found in the shola grasslands of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats, at elevations of 1,200 to 1,500 metres.
The name comes from Greek words meaning 'woolly, curly-haired', for the hair covering its flower base.
About 50 flowering individuals are known from three locations within under a square kilometre, and the species has been assessed as Data Deficient.
Sholas are stunted tropical montane evergreen forests confined to sheltered valley folds in the higher southern Western Ghats, set within rolling montane grassland. The two together form one mosaic ecosystem that stores water and regulates streamflow.
Simple Analogy: Tree-filled folds stitched into open grass, like patches sewn onto a hillside.
Established on 13 February 1890, headquartered in Kolkata under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; publishes 'Plant Discoveries' each year.
Recorded 353 taxa added to India's floral inventory, 221 of them new to science, with Arunachal Pradesh contributing the most.
An IUCN category signalling insufficient information rather than safety — appropriate here because only about 50 individuals have been counted at all.
GS Paper 3 > Environment and Biodiversity > Biosphere reserves, Western Ghats and endemic species
General Awareness > Indian geography and environment in the news
From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats?
Answer: Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
The Western Ghats are a recognized biodiversity hotspot. Which of the following is currently considered the most significant threat to its endemic species, beyond general habitat loss?
Answer: Infrastructure development projects (e.g., roads, dams, mining).
In which of the following regions of India are you most likely to come across the 'Great Indian Hornbill' in its natural habitat?
Answer: Western Ghats
Which of the following are in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve?
Answer: Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
The "Western Ghats" are also known as:
Answer: Sahyadris
Stunted tropical montane evergreen forest occurring as patches in valley folds of the higher southern Western Ghats, interspersed with montane grassland.
The cup- or urn-shaped floral base formed by fused bases of sepals, petals and stamens — its woolly hair gives Osbeckia ulotricha its name.
A designated area combining a strictly protected core with buffer and transition zones that allow regulated human activity.