Hyderabad: Scientists have identified three new plant species in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh following field surveys conducted over the past five years, each found in small, restricted habitats and classified as critically endangered under IUCN Red List criteria.The species have been identified as Euphorbia ananthapuramensis from Nigidi forest in Sri Sathya Sai district, Euphorbia chalamensis from Chalama Forest in Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary in Nandyal district, and Ceropegia andhrica from Paderu forest division in Alluri Sitharamaraju district. Two of the species belong to the Euphorbiaceae family, while Ceropegia andhrica belongs to the Apocynaceae family.Surveys confirm new speciesAccording to scientist Kothareddy Prasad of Sri Venkateswara College of the University of Delhi, the species were confirmed through detailed study of their stems, leaves, flowers and fruits, with fresh and preserved samples examined under microscopes and compared with herbarium records and global plant databases.Euphorbia ananthapuramensis, a shrubby species named after Sri Sathya Sai district, grows among granite rocks in scrub forests at elevations of 450 to 550 metres. About 80 individual plants were recorded within an area of around 2.5 sq km. The species faces threats from granite mining and forest fires.Euphorbia chalamensis, a small annual herb named after Chalama, was found in dry deciduous forests at elevations of 300 to 500 metres. Its population is limited to just over 100 individuals across about 2 sq km. Forest fires and human activity have been listed among the major threats.Rare flowering, small habitatsCeropegia andhrica, a dwarf tuberous herb named after Andhra Pradesh, was found in open forest edges at elevations above 1,000 metres. About 200 individuals were recorded in less than one sq km. The plant is leafless during flowering, which occurs after the first rains between May and June, and produces leaves later. Grazing, forest fires and habitat loss threaten the species.K Prasad said identifying new species in the wild is difficult as they occur in remote habitats and have limited flowering and fruiting periods. Their small flowers and fruits also make accurate identification challenging.Researchers call for conservationThe research was led by K Prasad, along with collaboration from Prof B Ravi Prasad Rao of SKU, Ananthapuramu, and Prof A Madhusudhana Reddy of YVU, Kadapa. Other researchers associated with the work include A Narayana Swamy, M Sowghandika, M Bheemalingappa, C Nagendra, S Akkulanna, P Chiranjeevi and Vallepu Nagaraju.The findings have been published in journals including Nordic Journal of Botany, Taiwania and Annales Botanici Fennici, and recognised by global databases such as World Flora Online and the International Plant Names Index. Specimens have been preserved at the Botanical Survey of India in Kolkata, with duplicates shared with SKU, YVU and KFRI for future research.K Prasad said the discoveries underline the need for continued biodiversity exploration and conservation in Andhra Pradesh. He said the first two Euphorbia species have medicinal properties and are used by local tribal communities to treat wounds, skin diseases and digestive disorders, while Ceropegia andhrica produces edible tubers roughly the size of small potatoes and is at risk of overharvesting.
