Plant Species ‘Cyphostemma annamalaii’ Discovered

In May 2026, researchers from Annamalai University announced the discovery of a new plant species in the southern Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu.

Key Points

The New Species: The newly discovered species, Cyphostemma annamalaii, belongs to the grape family (Vitaceae).
Discovery Location: The species was found on Sanjeevi Hill in Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu, within the southern Eastern Ghats region.
Distinct Morphology: Unlike related species, the new climber has round yellow fruits, white or yellow petals, and consistently three leaves throughout its growth stages.
Related Species Comparison: The allied species Cyphostemma setosum differs by producing red ovate fruits and transitioning from single leaves to three leaves.
Potential Medicinal Importance: Preliminary phytochemical studies are underway to analyse possible medicinal properties of the new species.
Habitat Characteristics: The plant grows in tropical dry forest and scrub vegetation at an elevation of about 86 metres.
Biodiversity-Rich Area: The Sanjeevi Hill ecosystem hosts diverse flora and fauna including king cobras, porcupines, butterflies, eagles, and medicinal plants.
Sacred Grove Significance: The hill also contains ancient cave temples dedicated to Perumal and Shiva, making it ecologically and culturally important.