Rare Western Ghats Flower Named After V S Achuthanandan to Honor His Eco Legacy

A newly discovered wildflower from the Western Ghats has been named Impatiens achudanandani to honor former Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan’s enduring legacy in environmental conservation. The naming comes in recognition of his efforts to protect sensitive ecosystems like the Mathikettan Shola forests during his leadership, particularly for his pivotal role in preserving the Western Ghats. This delicate variety of wild Kashithumba (garden balsam) features white and cream petals with a distinctive yellow spot at the center. It was first discovered near streambeds in the Kallar forests of Thiruvananthapuram and later in the Silent Valley ranges of Palakkad two ecologically significant regions within the Western Ghats.

A team of Malayali botanists and researchers, including Dr V Suresh (Government Victoria College, Palakkad), S Arya (University College, Thiruvananthapuram), M G Govind (Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Palode), and W K Vishnu (Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram), made the discovery. The formal scientific description and naming were published in the international botanical journal PhytoKeys. The tribute comes soon after Achuthanandan’s passing, symbolizing the connection between his conservation ethic and the ongoing discoveries in Kerala’s rich biodiversity hotspots. The species joins several newly named plants from the region, many of which face urgent conservation threats a reminder of the ecological fragility and the importance of vigilant stewardship.

The life of this new wildflower, thriving in monsoon-fed forest streams, will now stand as a lasting testament to Achuthanandan’s role in defending Kerala’s natural heritage.

Read more at: https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2025/07/25/malayali-researchers-honour-achuthanandan.html