ShailajaResearchers have identified three new species of wild balsam in Kerala, of which two have been named after Communist veteran and former Chief Minister V.S. The species, belonging to the genus Impatiens (family Balsaminaceae), were spotted in the Western Ghats region of southern Kerala and the Idukki district during floristic surveys. A plant with whitish-creamy flowers found in the Kallar forest, Thiruvananthapuram district, has been named Impatiens achudanandanii after Mr. Achuthanandan. New species are often named after individuals, but living politicians being honoured in this way is, perhaps, not that common. A species has been named after Ms. Shailaja for her handling of the ''various epidemic and pandemic (COVID-19) situations in the state of Kerala through scientific temper.''

Source: The Hindu August 15, 2021 10:59 UTC