Guwahati, Nov 6 (PTI): A new flowering plant species, named ‘Disporum kamakhasiense’, has been discovered in Assam and Meghalaya.
Assam’s Environment and Forests Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said the species, distinguished by its white, star-shaped flowers and glossy dark-green leaves, was recorded at three locations in Assam and Meghalaya.
The plant was found in Assam’s Garbhanga Reserve Forest near Guwahati and at Laisong in Dima Hasao district, as well as in Meghalaya’s Barapani area, he said in a social media post.
The perennial herb grows in semi-evergreen forests at elevations of around 200 to 1,100 metres and has been observed mainly on cliffs beneath bamboo forests, he said.
Its scientific name combines references to Kamrupa, the ancient name for Assam, and the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, he added.
Baruah said that it belonged to the Colchicaceae family and can grow up to 180 cm, making it considerably taller than its closest relative, ‘Disporum calcaratum’. Its extensively branched stems, smooth leaves with seven prominent parallel veins, longer flower stalks and distinctive floral structure help distinguish it from related species, he said.
The plant flowers between June and July and is expected to bear fruit from July to August.
He said forest fragmentation, highway expansion and local over-exploitation have been identified as potential threats to the species. Its known distribution across only three locations has also raised concerns about its long-term survival.
The discovery underlines the need to protect semi-evergreen forests, conserve fragile habitats and support continued scientific research, he said.
