CRYPTOCARYA MUTHUVARIANA: NEW TREE SPECIES NAMED AFTER A TRIBE
Key Points
- Scientists including from University of Kerala and Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanical Garden & Research Institute (TBGRI), identified the plant.
- New species of the plant has been named as ‘CryptocariaMuthuvariana’, named after the Muthuvar tribal community.
- MuthuvarTraibal community plays a significant role in conserving the forest.
- For the first time, any plant species has been named after a local tribal community in the state.
Cryptocarya Muthuvariana
- Cryptocarya Muthuvariana species of the tree belongs to genus Cryptocarya. The tree grows to a top of around 10 to 15 meters.
- It is characterised by not-too-broad leaves.
Muthuvar Tribal Community
- Muthuvan people were loyal subjects of Madurai dynasty. When this dynasty was deposed, surviving royal members migrated to Travancore in Kerala.
- They carried idols of Madurai Meenakshi, deity of the royal family while migrating.
- ‘Muthuvar word’ is used to denote same community in Tamil Nadu. Muthuvan
- people are ancient tribes of this land. This community is independent and reluctant to interact with others.
- They grow ragi, lemon grass and cardamom.