Dharwad botanists discover four new species of plants in Western Ghats

A team of researchers led by botanist Prof. K. Kotresha from Karnatak Science College, Dharwad, has discovered four news species of plants in the Western Ghats of Karnataka during floristic explorations.

According to a release issued by Prof. K. Kotresha, Professor of Taxonomy and Floristic Laboratory, Department of UG, PG and Research in Botany of Karnatak University’s Karnatak Science College, the discoveries were made during floristic explorations during 2024-25 and have been published in different international journals.

Prof. Kotresha says the estimated plant species around the globe are around 30,00,000, and so far 2,50,000 species are known while 27,50,000 species are to yet be discovered.

The team started exploring species from different districts in Karnataka as part of the floristic survey and has completed the survey in eight districts till now. The survey is on in the remaining districts.

Of the four newly discovered species, three are from different places in the districts of Uttara Kannada, while one is from Shivamogga district.

The four botanists who discovered the plant sepcies: (from left) Prof. K. Kotresha, Shreyas Betageri, Vanaja Patagar and Manjushree Kanoj.
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

What are the new species?

The new species reported from Central Western Ghat has been named as Oberonia marnkuliensis Shreyas & Kotresha as it was collected at Marnkuli Hill, “Marnkuli Village” near Talaguppa, Sagara taluk, Shivamogga district. The discovery of it was published in Richardiana international journal.

The plant species discovered at Kali Tiger Reserve in Uttara Kannada district has been named as Zeuxine seetharamii (Betageri & Kotresha), after eminent taxonomist retired Prof. Y.N. Seetharam, Department of Botany, Gulbarga University, Kalaburagi. The discovery was published in Asian Journal of Research in Botany.

The plant explored from Goregudda, Hindgaon, Kumta taluk, Uttara Kannada district has been named as Parasopubia gorensis (Patgar, Betageri & Kotresha) after Godess Goreshwara temple from Lateritic plateau of ‘Goregudda’. It was published in international journal Phytotaxa.

The species found at Mirjan Fort, Mirjan village, Kumta taluk has been as Utricularia kumtensis (Kanoj, Patgar, Betageri & Kotresha) and its discovery was published in international journal Phytotaxa, the release said. Prof. Kotresha can be contacted on 8088646309 for further details on the new species.