New Flowering Plant Found in Fiji: Big Pics
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Jan. 22, 2012 — Scientists have discovered a new flowering plant in the highlands of Matasawalevu village, on the island of Kadavu in Fiji.
The plant, belonging to the Medinilla group, was found by a team from the International Union for Conservation of Nature who was assessing the degradation of the river basin in order to help local people manage their water resources.
“The discovery of this previously unknown species of plant gives us a sense of just how fragile nature can be,” said Milika Sobey, Water and Wetlands Program Coordinator at IUCN’s Oceania Regional Office. “The fact that it was found during work on a watershed management project is one more lesson in how important it is that nature is included in the priorities for water management.”
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There are around 193 known species of Medinilla occurring in Madagascar, Africa, South Asia and the Pacific Islands. Of the 193 species, 11 can only be found in Fiji. One of them is the Tagimoucia flower, Medinilla waterhousei, the floral emblem of Fiji.
Work is currently underway to confirm the exact classification of the new species, for which DNA research may be carried out.
Photos: Courtesy Marika Tuiwawa
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