Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India have rediscovered a rare plant native to Arunachal Pradesh after nearly 189 years, officials said on Saturday. The species was located during a botanical survey in Lohit district.
The plant, identified as Henckelia monophylla, has not been recorded since the early 19th century. Its rediscovery is considered an important development for botanical documentation in the Eastern Himalayas.
Henckelia monophylla, a member of the Gesneriaceae family, is a perennial herb that usually grows in moist, wooded habitats.
Henckelia plants are usually characterized by erect or slightly trailing stems and simple leaves that are often ovate or lanceolate.
The plants produce axillary inflorescences with one or more tubular or funnel-shaped flowers, often with delicate coloring.
Their fruits develop as elongated capsules containing numerous tiny seeds, allowing them to reproduce efficiently in suitable ecological niches.
Botanists say such findings underscore the need for continued field surveys and conservation efforts in Arunachal Pradesh, considered one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in India.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu congratulated the scientists for the rediscovery.
“I am delighted to learn of the remarkable rediscovery of Henckelia monophylla, a rare plant species endemic to Arunachal Pradesh, after nearly 189 years. I sincerely congratulate the team at the Botanical Survey of India for this major scientific achievement,” the Chief Minister said in a post on X.
He said the rediscovery from Lohit district highlights the extraordinary biodiversity of the state.
“Such finds not only add to global botanical knowledge but also remind us of the ecological treasures our state possesses,” Khandu said.
The Chief Minister also wished the researchers all the best for their selfless efforts in documenting and protecting the unique species.
A rare new flowering plant discovered in Nagaland
Last month, researchers also identified a new species of flowering plant in Nagaland in a community protected forest, NDTV reported. The plant, named Hoya nagaensis and belonging to the wax plant group, was found in the Kavunhou Community Reserved Forest in Phek district, about 110 km from the state capital Kohima. The discovery was made during detailed botanical surveys carried out in the high-altitude forests of the region.
This species is part of the Hoya genus, which is widely recognized for its waxy, star-shaped flowers and the presence of milky latex. It has been observed growing in a temperate forest zone that scientists say has not yet been scientifically explored.
According to the researchers, the plant bears distinctive star-shaped flowers and releases a milky sap — a trait commonly associated with plants in the Apocynaceae family, also known as the milkweed family.
(With inputs from news agency PTI)
