New Flowering Plant Species Discovered In Pakhal Sanctuary

Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India have identified a new species of flowering plant in Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary in Telangana’s Mahbubabad district, highlighting the region’s rich and still-unfolding plant diversity. The species has been named “Dicliptera pakhalica” and was formally described in the international botanical journal “Brittonia” on January 29.

Discovery During Floristic Surveys

The discovery was made during systematic floristic surveys conducted by scientists of the Botanical Survey of India in the Pandem East Beat of the Gangaram Range inside Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary. The research team comprised BSI scientist L. Rasingam, botanist P. Harikrishna, research scholar A. Parthiban, and forest divisional officer V. Chandra Sekhara Rao. The plant was found along stream banks and rocky areas near waterfalls, habitats known for supporting diverse native flora.

Distinct Morphological Characteristics

“Dicliptera pakhalica” belongs to the Acanthaceae family and closely resembles “Dicliptera parvibracteata”, a species found in parts of the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. However, detailed morphological analysis of field specimens and herbarium records revealed clear differences. These include adpressed deflexed hairiness on the stem, unkeeled bracts, absence of glandular hairs on floral parts and fruits, an obovoid capsule, and echinate or spiny seeds, confirming it as a distinct species.

Ecological Significance And Distribution

The genus “Dicliptera” is one of the most species-rich within the Acanthaceae family, with over 220 species globally and 29 taxa recorded in India so far. Field observations show that “Dicliptera pakhalica” flowers between November and January, with fruiting from December to March. It grows alongside native species such as “Tarenna asiatica”, “Eranthemum purpurascens”, “Ruellia prostrata”, and “Mallotus philippensis”, indicating its role in the local ecosystem.

Important Facts for Exams

• Botanical Survey of India conducts floristic and taxonomic research.
• Acanthaceae is a family of flowering plants common in tropical regions.
• Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the Eastern Ghats landscape of Telangana.
• New species are assessed under IUCN criteria for conservation status.

Conservation Status And Name Origin

So far, “Dicliptera pakhalica” is known only from its type locality in Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary. Extensive surveys between 2023 and 2025 in nearby regions did not record its presence elsewhere. Due to its limited known distribution, the species has been classified as ‘Data Deficient’ under guidelines of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, underscoring the need for further studies. The species name is derived from Pakhal Lake, a historic reservoir built during the Kakatiya period, after which the sanctuary is named.