The Royal Botanic Garden at Kew has reported that in 2016, around 2000 new species of plants have been discovered. These newly discovered plants can be categorized under medicinal, food as well as timber sources. However, some of these new species are also at the brink of extinction.
According to a report created by the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, the year 2016 saw the discovery of around 2000 new species of plants. These newly discovered plant species have the capability of being used as a source of food, as medicine and also as a timber source, BBC reported.
It must be mentioned here that in the second annual assessment of the State of the World's Plants, scientists state that of the newly discovered plant species, the ones which are from Brazil are 11 new species of the Manihot shrub, the ones from South Africa are different species of the rooibos tea, and the list also includes new species of the Aloe Vera plant.
Notably, the director of the Royal Botanic Garden, Prof. Kathy Willis is very hopeful since these discoveries hold great promises for the future. She further stresses that the new species could hold the genetic code for food crops that will withstand climatic changes, as well as pests.
The report also surprisingly states that some of these newly discovered plants are at risk of extinction. And so, the scientists are working to ensure that the plants are protected and safeguarded for the generations to come.
According to the other findings and as stated in the report, 28,000 plants that are used for medicinal purposes are in danger due to the rising demand for herbal medicines; 30,000 plants that are listed under international trade agreement needs protection so that its survival is not threatened due to trade; Madagascar, which was in focus this year has 11,138 native species that are not found anywhere else, but 1600 of these are at the brink of extinction; and, 6000 species are documented as invasive.
