A team of researchers from three colleges in the State and the Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, have reported a new edible plant species belonging to the genus Amaranthus from the southern Western Ghats of Kerala. Anilkumar, Head, Department of Botany, Government College, Kasaragod, came across the new species Amaranthus saradhiana on the outskirts of the Kulathupuzha forest range in Kollam district. Critical studies on the collected specimens revealed that the species is related to the widespread Amaranthus spinosus but differs in many characteristics. Mistaken identityAccording to Ms. Arya, it is the first time that an Amaranthus species has been reported from Kerala. Purple in colourAn annual herb, Amaranthus saradhiana has been found to grow to a height of 80-100 cm and has profuse branches and spines arising from the leaf nodes.

Source: The Hindu May 20, 2019 18:11 UTC