New Wild Brinjal Species Discovered in Andaman Forests
Sri Vijaya Puram, June 22: In a significant addition to India's botanical knowledge, scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have discovered a new species of wild brinjal in the evergreen forests of Middle Andaman . The discovery highlights the exceptional biodiversity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and their importance as a global ecological hotspot. The newly identified species, named Solanum pandeyi , was discovered by Dr. Lal Ji Singh , Head of the Botanical Survey of India's Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre. The plant was found growing naturally along forest edges in Middle Andaman and is locally known as the Wild Orange Eggplant . According to Dr. Singh, the species has long been used by the indigenous Great Andamanese community for both food and traditional medicine. The seeds and roots are reportedly used to treat tooth infections, while the ripe fruits are prepared into a sweet-and-sour sauce using jaggery, chilli, garlic, ginger and salt by Ranchi ...