Home / Environment / Coimbatore Tank Blooms: 121 New Plants Found!
Coimbatore Tank Blooms: 121 New Plants Found!
6 Mar
Summary
- Singanallur tank's plant diversity increased by 121 species.
- Three 'threatened' plant species were identified by IUCN.
- Medicinal plants constitute 78% of the newly documented flora.
The floristic diversity of Coimbatore's Singanallur tank has expanded significantly, with a recent study identifying 121 additional plant species. These findings bring the total recorded flora in and around the urban waterbody to 574 species. Conducted between January 2023 and December 2024, the study documented these new additions to the existing 453 species.
Among the 121 newly identified plants, three have been classified as 'threatened' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). These include Hyophorbe lagenicaulis (Critically Endangered), Gossypium hirsutum (Vulnerable), and Reutealis trisperma (Near Threatened). Additionally, three endemic species were found: Dicliptera cuneata, Viscum subracemosum, and Cordia diffusa.
The newly documented flora comprises 95 medicinal plants, 26 edible species, and 14 ornamental varieties. However, the study also highlights threats to the tank's ecosystem, such as pollution, unscientific vegetation clearance, and the proliferation of invasive weeds like parthenium. These issues impact the ecological dynamics and aquatic plant diversity of the area.
