New Delhi: A unique plant species, Amalophyllon (Gesneriaceae), was recently discovered on the western slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes. Unlike its pendent habitat’s congeners, this species stands out with its leaf blades featuring deeply serrated margins, basal rosette of leaves, and miniature size. It’s a marvel of nature assigned a preliminary conservation status of Critically Endangered (CR) based on International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines. Let’s delve deeper into this fascinating plant.
New Species of Plant: Where and who founded it?
John L Clark, a research botanist at Florida’s Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, made a significant discovery on the western slopes of the Andes in Ecuador. This new species, Amalophyllon miraculum, was published in the journal PhytoKeys. John has described the discovery as a miracle, a testament to nature’s resilience. Standing at just five cm tall, the size of Amalophyllon miraculum belies the significant message of hope it carries.
The new species was named after its discovery on Centinela Ridge, Ecuador, which has witnessed widespread deforestation in the last century. The ridge is home to a massive diversity of species, and it is believed that most of the area’s unique plants were washed out when the forest was cut for farmland. This discovery underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect such unique species and their habitats.
According to John, “Centinela is still alive because a few farmers chose to conserve the forests on their property instead of cutting them down. The remnant forests of Centinela are the result of these enlightened farmers who were inspired to maintain the beauty of a waterfall.”
The naming of Amalophyllon miraculum follows the rediscovery of Gasteranthus extinctus, another Centinelan species named after being presumed extinct.
Photo credit: Phytokeys
About Amalophyllon
Amalophyllon is a genus of terrestrial or lithophytic herbs distributed from Mexico’s Chiapas throughout Central America to Venezuela, Colombia, northern Peru, and Ecuador. The plant was initially recognised as a monotypic genus in the Scrophulariaceae (Brandegee 1914).
Boggan et al. (2008) more recently applied the name to Gesneriaceae. Boggan et al. (2008) expanded Amalophyllon to include 13 species.
So now, with the addition of Amalophyllon miraculum, the total number of Amalophyllon species has risen to 14.
With this discovery, three species of Amalophyllon can be found in Ecuador: Amalophyllon divaricatum, Amalophyllon clarkii, and Amalophyllon miraculum.
The flowering can be noticed in March and July, and no fruit was observed.
How does the plant survive?
According to the research team, the survival of Amalophyllon miraculum is a testament to its adaptability. This little plant is an obligate lithophyte, meaning it must grow on rocks but also relies on being kept moist. Its lifestyle is closely tied to persistently wet areas, particularly on rocks that receive perpetual mist from waterfalls. Even minor changes in habitat conditions can lead to the absence of this tiny species, highlighting the delicate balance necessary for its survival. This underscores the importance of preserving its unique habitat to ensure the survival of Amalophyllon miraculum.
Amalophyllon miraculum, a rare and unique new plant species, was discovered on the western slopes of Ecuador. This discovery, akin to a miracle, was made in the forest of Centinela, adding to the intrigue and fascination surrounding this new find. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
