“Pyrostria laljii” – A New Species Discovered in Andaman and Nicobar

Why in news ?

Pyrostria laljii, a new species of coffee family, has been discovered in the Andaman Islands by a team of researchers from India and the Philippines.

About:

• Pyrostria laljii is a 15-meter-tall tree that belongs to the genus of the coffee family. It is the first species of the genus Pyrostria in India.
  • The genus Pyrostria plants are usually found in Madagascar.

FEATURES:

The tree is distinguished by a long stem with a whitish coating on the trunk. It has oblong-ovate leaves with a cuneate base.

• Another physical feature that distinguishes the tree from other species of the genus is its umbellate inflorescence with eight to 12 flowers.