The journal officially named the species Impatiens selvasinghii, in honour of Professor Selva Singh Richard of Madras Christian College.
Published Sep 22, 2025 | 7:11 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 22, 2025 | 7:11 PM
Professor Selva Singh Richard. (Supplied)
Synopsis: As part of this study, researcher Bharat Simha Yadav, identified a new species of the Impatiens genus at Kudremukh peak in Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka. After years of detailed research, the findings were formally published this April in the international journal Taiwania. The journal officially named the species Impatiens selvasinghii, in honour of Professor Selva Singh Richard of Madras Christian College.
A team of researchers has discovered a new plant species from the Impatiens genus in the Western Ghats and named it in honour of Professor Selva Singh Richard from the Department of Botany at Madras Christian College, Chennai, recognizing his significant contributions to the field of plant reproductive biology.
While, across southern India, several academic institutions, independent researchers, and enthusiasts are engaged in studying native plant species and biodiversity, one such team, led by Associate Professor Subbiah Karuppusamy of Madura College, Madurai, has been conducting research in the Western Ghats for the past twenty five years.
As part of this study, Karuppusamy’s student, researcher Bharat Simha Yadav, identified a new species of the Impatiens genus at Kudremukh peak in Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka. After years of detailed research, the findings were formally published this April in the international journal Taiwania.
The journal officially named the species Impatiens selvasinghii, in honour of Professor Selva Singh Richard of Madras Christian College.
Speaking about this recognition, Professor Karuppusamy said, “Selva Singh Richard has made significant contributions to the study of reproductive biology of India’s indigenous plants, especially their pollination and seed formation.”
Madura College Researchers
He added, “He has carried out extensive research on the reproductive biology of native plants in the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. We wanted to honour him, and that is why his name has been given to this species.”
On the newly discovered plant, Karuppusamy explained, “Across India, there are over 240 known species in the Impatiens genus. The discovery of a new species is not quick—it takes about four to five years of rigorous research, step by step, before it can be published in an international scientific journal.”
His team has discovered not just this species but several others as well—about 15 new plants in the Western Ghats and 10 in the Eastern Ghats.
Interestingly, another Impatiens species has already been named Impatiens karuppusamy in his honour.
Recently, his team also discovered a new species in Idukki district of Kerala, which has been named Tetrataenium munnarense.
According to international scientific rules, plant names follow specific conventions. Each plant’s scientific name has two parts.
The first part is the genus name, which refers to the larger group to which the species belongs. In this case, the genus is Impatiens, which is part of the family Balsaminaceae.
The second part of the name is proposed by the discoverer. It may be based on the place of discovery, or it may honour a researcher. Once the proposed name is published in a recognised international scientific journal, that name becomes the accepted scientific identity of the plant.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
