New Botanical Find In Umred Named After Savitribai Phule

Nagpur: In a discovery that bridges science, biodiversity conservation, and social history, Indian botanists have identified a previously unknown species of flowering plant from forests of Nagpur and named it in honour of Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule, India's first woman teacher and one of India's most influential social reformers. The newly discovered species, Crotalaria Phulei, was found in Khairi-Umred forest near Nagpur and has been formally described in the internationally recognised and prestigious taxonomic journal Phytotaxa, published by Magnolia Press, New Zealand.The publication officially establishes the species as new to science and adds another member to the rich botanical diversity of India.Researchers believe this is the first plant species ever named after Savitribai Phule, creating a lasting scientific tribute to a woman whose pioneering efforts transformed education, women's empowerment and social equality in 19th-century India.The species was discovered during extensive botanical explorations conducted by Rupali R Chaudhari, Jagannath V Gadpayale and Subhash R Somkuwar. Detailed field surveys, herbarium investigations and comparisons with related species confirmed that the plant represented a species previously unknown to science.Belonging to legume family Fabaceae, Crotalaria phulei exhibits a unique combination of morphological characteristics that distinguish it from all known members of the genus. The plant possesses distinctive vegetative traits, reduced-flowered inflorescences, characteristic fruit morphology and uniquely mottled cream-olive-coloured seeds. The discovery highlights continuing importance of taxonomic research and underscores urgency of biodiversity exploration and conservation. The finding is particularly significant because it originates from the forests of Central India, a region internationally known for wildlife conservation and increasingly recognised for its rich plant diversity.According to the authors, preliminary observations suggest species has a restricted distribution. The species has been assigned a preliminary conservation category of data deficient (DD) under criteria of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This discovery stands as a milestone and a reminder that nature deserves protection and study. Chaudhary is asst professor and HoD, dept of Botany, SGMM, Hingna. Gadpayale is associate professor and HoD, dept of Botany, SN Mor College, Tumsar, Bhandara. Somkuwar is professor and HoD, dept of Botany, Dr Ambedkar College, Nagpur.