New Plant Species Discovered in Manas Named After Zubeen Garg

Botanists from Gauhati University have discovered a new plant species in the grasslands of Manas National Park in Assam and named it after renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg. The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of the region and adds to the growing list of plant species identified from the ecologically significant national park.

Discovery in Manas National Park

The newly identified plant has been named “Osbeckia zubeengargiana” and belongs to the Melastomataceae family. The discovery was made by researchers Barnali Das and Namita Nath from Gauhati University along with Prasobh Pulpra from NSS College in Kerala.

The plant was documented during botanical surveys conducted between 2021 and 2025 in the grasslands of Manas National Park, located in Assam’s Baksa district. The findings were published in the scientific journal “Phytotaxa”, which focuses on plant taxonomy and biodiversity research.

Features of the newly identified species

According to researchers, the plant is a perennial shrub that grows between 2.5 and 3.5 metres tall. It produces clusters of pink flowers measuring about 2.5 to 3 centimetres in length. The flowering period generally occurs between mid-September and January.

Although the plant resembles “Osbeckia rostrata”, scientists identified several distinguishing features that confirm it as a separate species. The discovery contributes to the expanding knowledge of the genus “Osbeckia”, which includes more than 40 species distributed mainly across South and Southeast Asia.

Conservation status and scientific importance

Researchers observed a relatively large population of the species during field surveys. However, its conservation status has currently been categorised as “Data Deficient” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List due to limited long-term ecological data.

Important Facts for Exams

• “Osbeckia zubeengargiana” is a newly discovered plant species from Manas National Park in Assam.
• It belongs to the Melastomataceae family and the genus “Osbeckia”.
• The discovery was published in the scientific journal “Phytotaxa”.
• Manas National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a biodiversity hotspot in Assam.

Significance for biodiversity research

The discovery underscores the ecological importance of Manas National Park and the northeastern region of India, which is known for its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems. Scientific exploration and documentation of such species play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation and ecological research. Naming the species after Zubeen Garg also symbolically recognises the cultural influence of the Assamese musician while highlighting the natural heritage of the region.