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New Plant Species Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh's Shi-Yomi District
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News18•29-09-2026, 19:30
New Plant Species Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh's Shi-Yomi District
- •Botanists have discovered a new plant species, Didymocarpus nautiyalii, in Arunachal Pradesh's Shi-Yomi district, highlighting the rich botanical diversity of the Eastern Himalaya.
- •The species, belonging to the Gesneriaceae family, was formally described in the scientific journal Taiwania after detailed examination and comparison with existing flora.
- •Didymocarpus nautiyalii is a small herb growing on moist rock surfaces in subtropical evergreen forests above 1,000 meters, characterized by leathery leaves and distinctive bluish-purple flowers.
- •Named in honor of Prof. Sunil Nautiyal, former director of GBPNIHE, the discovery was led by Madhusudhan Khanal and a team from various institutions.
- •Currently assessed as Data Deficient under IUCN Red List criteria, the plant has only two known populations, prompting recommendations for further surveys and monitoring.
Key Questions Answered
The newly discovered plant species belongs to the Gesneriaceae family and has been named Didymocarpus nautiyalii.
The research team was led by Madhusudhan Khanal of the G B Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (GBPNIHE).
Researchers have currently assessed Didymocarpus nautiyalii as Data Deficient under the IUCN Red List criteria due to insufficient information to determine its extinction risk.
