A rare and endangered tree species, Uniyala multibracteata (locally known as Kattupoovamkurunnila), has been rediscovered after a gap of 140 years.
Kattupoovamkurunnila is endemic to Wagamon, Memala, and Elappara areas.
This species was originally discovered from Peerumade in 1880 by R.H. Beddome.
Its height is about 2 to 5 meters and its leaves are covered with cottony hairs.
It is found in evergreen forests and rocky grasslands on 1,200 metres above sea level.
The presence of this rare species in Wagamon shows the presence of rich biodiversity outside the protected area in the Western Ghats.
This shows the importance of conservation in the non-protected forests in the Western Ghats.
The rediscovery of Kattupoovamkurunnila has been published in a recent issue of the Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society journal, Journal of Threatened Taxa.
