Emblica chakrabartyi

Emblica chakrabartyi is a newly identified species from the genus Emblica, within the Phyllanthaceae family. This species was discovered in the Edamalayar forest range of Kerala, India, specifically in the Adichilthotti area. The plant was named in honor of Dr. Tapas Chakrabarty, a former scientist at the Botanical Survey of India, recognizing his significant contributions to the study of Phyllanthaceae. The research team responsible for this discovery comprised scientists from SNM College Maliankara, Ernakulam; the National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow; and King Fahd University, UAE. During an expedition as part of a UGC-sponsored research project focusing on the flowering plants of Ernakulam district, they identified a population of approximately 55 Emblica chakrabartyi plants in and around the Edamalayar and nearby Sholayar forest areas. Emblica chakrabartyi is a shrub that can grow up to 2 meters in height. Its leaves are notably large, reaching up to 13 centimeters in length, with a shiny, elongated oval shape. The plant’s flowering and fruiting period extends from December to June. Male flowers are arranged in inflorescences, while female flowers are solitary, located in the leaf axils. Each flower comprises six yellowish-green petals. Upon ripening, the fruits transition to a brown or black hue, and the seeds are black, measuring about 8 to 9 millimeters in diameter. Globally, the genus Emblica encompasses 55 species, primarily found in tropical rainforests. With the addition of E. chakrabartyi, India is now home to eleven species within this genus. This discovery not only enriches the botanical diversity of the region but also underscores the importance of continued exploration and documentation of plant species in the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot. In terms of its taxonomic relationships, Emblica chakrabartyi is closely allied to Emblica anamalayana. However, it differs in several key aspects, including its habit, the urceolate (urn-shaped) form of staminate flowers with short pedicels, larger inner tepals compared to the outer ones, short anthers equal in length to their column, three distinct deeply bifid styles, the shape of the capsule and its styles, and black lineolate smooth seeds. The formal description of Emblica chakrabartyi has been published in the Nordic Journal of Botany, contributing valuable information to the scientific community regarding this new species.

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