Researchers name new plant species after Catholic priest
George Kommattam - February
Kozhikode, Feb 17, 2026: Students of a Catholic college in Kerala have named a newly discovered plant species after their former principal, Carmelite Father Joseph Paikada.
“Naming this plant after Father Paikada is a tribute to a teacher and principal who inspired students to study and love the natural world. The students themselves suggested the name, showing their deep respect and affection for him,” Carmelite Father Biju Joseph Chakkalayil, the current principal of Devagiri College in Kozhikode told Matters India February 17.
The plant was discovered in the high-altitude grasslands of Idukki’s Iravikulam National Park by research students C. Rekha, M. K. Prashant, and T. P. Ashwindas under the guidance of their teacher K M Manudev.
The species has been named Tetrataenium paikadae. It belongs to the Apiaceae family, which includes carrots and celery.
The research finding has been published in the internationally recognized Nordic Journal of Botany. Supported by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, the study highlights the rich biodiversity of Kerala’s Western Ghats and the importance of conservation.
Father Chakkalayil said Paikada is remembered for his humility, guidance, and his love for students. The naming of the species ensures that his legacy continues to bloom in the highlands he inspired students to explore and cherish, he added.
Father Paikada died December 20, 2019, aged 83. He served as the principal and manager of Devagiri College for almost three decades. He played a key role in the institution’s development, acting as a teacher, warden, and spiritual guide.
He was also the chairman of the Consortium of the Autonomous Colleges of Keralam.
He founded Christ School in Poonch, a historic, strategic town and district in Jammu and Kashmir, in 1990.
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