Rare Plant Species Found in Eastern Ghats Named Croton Ubbalamadugensis

Vijayawada: A newly identified plant species found in the Eastern Ghats along Tirupati district has been officially named Croton Ubbalamadugensis by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who handles the forest and environment department.

Belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family, the species was named after its natural habitat near the picturesque Ubbalamadugu waterfalls in the Kambakam hill ranges. The name reflects the ecological significance of the region.

The plant attracted the deputy CM’s attention for its distinctive aromatic leaves. Scientists say the discovery highlights the extraordinary floral diversity of the Eastern Ghats and underscores the need for continued botanical exploration and conservation in the region.

The species was identified by principal chief conservator of forests PV Chalapathi Rao and his team during extensive botanical surveys conducted across the Eastern Ghats. Detailed scientific studies confirmed that the plant possessed unique structural and reproductive characteristics that distinguished it from its closest known relative, Croton Aromaticus.

Researchers have classified Croton Ubbalamadugensis as an endangered species because of its highly restricted distribution and the increasing threats to its natural habitat. They believe the discovery reinforces the ecological importance of the Eastern Ghats, one of India's biodiversity-rich landscapes, and calls for intensified scientific research and habitat protection.