Glycosmis Albicarpa: New Rin Berry Species
A team of scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) has discovered a new gin berry species named Glycosmis albicarpa from the Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu.
- BSI, established in 1890, is the apex research organisation under the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEFCC) for carrying out taxonomic and floristic studies on wild plant resources of the country.
- It has the objective to explore plant resources of the country and to identify plant species with economic virtues.
Glycosmis Albicarpa
- The species is endemic to the southern Western Ghats.
- The species belongs to the Orange family, Rutaceae.
- Many of the related plants of these taxonomic groups are being utilised for their medicinal values and food.
- Most commonly related species of these plants are collected from the wild, mainly for local use as food and medicine.
- Berries of Glycosmis species have the unique characteristic of ‘gin aroma’ and have gained in popularity as an edible fruit.
- The species is also a larval host plant for butterflies like other species of Glycosmis.
