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The flowering plant, Rungia longifolia keralensis, has been discovered from the Western Ghats in the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary(SWS), Kollam.
About Rungia longifolia subsp
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The sub-species belongs to the Rungia longifolia herb species, endemic to Sri Lanka and coming under the Acanthaceae plant family.
- It was initially spotted in the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary in February 2016 and later in the Braemore forest in September 2016. Fewer than 100 mature individuals were located from both places.
- 19 Rungia taxa were found in the country. Of these, 15, including seven species and eight varieties, are endemic to the Western Ghats.
- The new subspecies, known to have pinkish white flowers, usually flower and bear fruit between August and February.
Species in News for UPSC 2021 : Click here