New Species of Muraingrass identified in the Western Ghats

A new species of Indian Muraingrasses has been identified by the scientists in the Plateau of Western Ghats of Goa. The Indian Muraingrasses are known for their ecological and economic importance like fodder. The species have been adapted to survive in the harsh conditions and low nutrient availability. It blossoms in monsoon every year.

Highlights

• 85 species are known from Ischaemum globally.
• Out of 85 species, 61 species are found exclusively in India.
• The Western Ghats have the highest concentration with 40 species found in the region.
• The team has discovered the species named Ischaemumjanarthanamii from plateaus of Western Ghats of Goa.
• The first collection of this new species was found in the monsoon season of  2017.

Ischaemumjanarthanamii

It grow on the low altitude lateritic plateaus of Bhagwan Mahavir National Park, Goa. This vegetation is exposed to extreme climatic conditions such as drier months and soils with low nutrient availability. However, species has adapted to survive harsh conditions.

Ischaemum

It is a genus of plants in the grass family. These are commonly found in tropical and semitropical regions in many countries. Many of its species are also known as murainagrass.

Ischaemum rugosum

It is also known as saramollagrass. This flowering plant belongs to the grass family Poaceae of the genus Ischaemum. This plant is native of  tropical and temperate regions of Asia. It grows in marshes and other wet habitats. It grows up to the heights of 1 m. The grass is used as a major weed in mid-latitude rice paddies in the Asia and South America.