During an exciting expedition into the lush Vagamon hills of Idukki district, a team of botanists stumbled upon a fascinating perennial herb. After careful study, this plant has been officially identified as a brand-new species within the Chlorophytum genus, making it a close relative of the renowned medicinal plant, safed musli.
Researchers have christened this captivating new species Chlorophytum vanapushpam (from the Asparagaceae family). It features delicate white flowers clustered together and slender, elegant leaves, truly a sight to behold.
The groundbreaking discovery, detailed in the latest issue of the scientific journal Phytotaxa, comes from a dedicated team of experts. These include researchers from the botany departments of Sanatana Dharma College, Alappuzha; Payyannur College, Kannur; Sir Syed College, Taliparamba; and SNM College, Maliankara.
Standing up to 90 cm tall, Chlorophytum vanapushpam thrives on the rocky slopes of Vagamon and Neymakkad, nestled within the breathtaking Western Ghats of Idukki district. It grows at elevations ranging from 700 to 2124 meters. Its discovery, according to the team, was a fortunate accident, part of a wider research project exploring wild edible tubers, generously funded by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board.
A Cradle of Life for Chlorophytum
“The Western Ghats are widely recognized as a pivotal center of origin for the Chlorophytum genus,” explains Jose Mathew, Assistant Professor at Sanatana Dharma College. “So far, 18 species have been documented in this region, many of which are celebrated for their remarkable medicinal properties.”
Among these is Chlorophytum borivilianum, more commonly known across India as ‘safed musli’. This potent herb is a staple in traditional medicine and is also enjoyed as a leafy green vegetable.
However, Chlorophytum vanapushpam stands apart from its more famous cousin in one key aspect: it does not possess tubers. Its seeds are small, measuring approximately 4 to 5 mm across. The plant flowers and bears fruit between September and December. The species name itself, vanapushpam, is a beautiful amalgamation of two Malayalam words: ‘Vanam’ meaning forest, and ‘Pushpam’ meaning flower.
The dedicated team behind this significant botanical find includes Dr. Mathew, alongside C.N. Sunil and M.G. Sanil Kumar from SNM College; M. K. Ratheesh Narayanan from Payyannur College; and Sidharth S. Nair of Sir Syed College, Taliparamba. Their work continues to unveil the hidden wonders of the Western Ghats.