Uniyala Keralensis | 18 Mar 2025

Source: TH 

Researchers have confirmed the existence of a new plant species, Uniyala keralensis (family Asteraceae), in the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve in Kerala. 

About Uniyala Keralensis: 

  • Genus: Uniyala  
  • Plant Type: Dense shrub with light purple flowers, growing 1-3m tall with flowering & fruiting between August and April. 
  • Distinct Features: Larger leaves, longer petioles, and fewer lateral veins than U. comorinensis & U. salviifolia. 
  • Distribution: Endemic to southwest India, found in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve at 700-1,400m elevation. 
  • Population: Around 5,000 individuals across 4 subpopulations over 250 km². 
  • IUCN Status: Data Deficient (DD) 

Uniyala_Keralensis

Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve: 

  • Location: Southern Western Ghats, spanning Kerala & Tamil Nadu. 
  • Protected Areas: Includes Shendurney, Peppara, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuaries & Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. 
  • Biodiversity: Hosts 2,254 higher plant species (405 endemic), Nilgiri Tahr, Lion-tailed Macaque, Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant. 
  • Tribes: Kani tribes (Kerala and Tamil Nadu) 
  • UNESCO Recognition: Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme, 2016. 

Agasthyamala_Biosphere_Reserve

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