Recently, a new fire-resistant plant species, has been discovered in the Western Ghats.
- This species, discovered by a team from the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune and was named Dicliptera polymorpha to reflect its varied morphological traits.
- This plant grows on slopes in open grasslands of the northern Western Ghats and this area effected by extreme climatic conditions such as summer droughts and frequent human-induced fires.
- It is unique for its ability to bloom twice a year—once after the monsoon and again in response to grassland fires.
- The first flowering phase occurs from post-monsoon (November to March/April), while the second, triggered by fires in May and June, produces dwarf flowering shoots for a shorter but more intense bloom.
- Dicliptera polymorpha has a rare inflorescence structure not seen in any other Indian species.
- Its flowers grow in spicate clusters, a feature most closely related to species found in Africa.
- Its adaptation to fire—while also dependent on careful fire management highlights the need to balance fire practices to protect its habitat.