Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, Feb 22: A research team under the leadership of Dr Vinayak K S, head of the department of Botany at Bantwal S V S College has identified a rare variety of flower called ‘Usneya Hiruta’ at Mullayanagiri.

Dr Vinayaka said that this is the first time such a variety of flower was found in the country.

The flower belongs to the family of Parmelia stone flowers. It is seen in 1,500 feet high areas. It can grow in between the combination of algae and mildew. It grows only in areas of less pollution. It is seen in a few countries of the world such as the Philippines, Australia, California and South Africa.

An article about the flower was published in the Journal of Tritan Tax science magazine’s special February edition. So far 57 varieties of the flower have been identified in India. Eight of them have been found in Karnataka according to the scientists.

“The flower grows under special conditions and will be extinct otherwise. Therefore, their protection is important,” said the team.

Archana R Mestha and N Rajeshwari were part of the team.