New Strobilanthes Species Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

A new flowering plant species has been formally documented from Arunachal Pradesh, reinforcing the Himalayan state’s status as one of India’s richest biodiversity regions. The discovery highlights the continuing importance of systematic botanical exploration in remote and ecologically sensitive landscapes that remain under-studied.

Discovery in East Kameng District

The species, “Strobilanthes riteshii”, belonging to the family Acanthaceae, was recorded during recent floristic surveys at Chayangtajo in East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The discovery was made by researchers from the Botanical Survey of India, Arunachal Pradesh Regional Centre, in collaboration with the Agharkar Research Institute. The plant is currently known only from its type locality, emphasising its potentially narrow distribution.

Habitat and Botanical Characteristics

According to researchers, “Strobilanthes riteshii” occurs at an elevation of around 1,600 metres. It grows along open hill slopes and roadsides, often near small waterfalls and streams within evergreen forest patches. Flowering has been observed between August and October, while fruiting takes place from September to December. Such habitat specificity suggests the species may be sensitive to environmental disturbance and infrastructure expansion.

Naming and Scientific Significance

The species has been named in honour of Dr Ritesh Kumar Choudhary, an Indian plant taxonomist at the Agharkar Research Institute, recognising his contributions to plant taxonomy and molecular systematics. The discovery adds to the growing list of endemic and rare flora from Arunachal Pradesh, a region known for high species diversity but still limited comprehensive scientific coverage.

Important Facts for Exams

• Arunachal Pradesh is part of the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot.
• “Strobilanthes” is a genus known for high species diversity in India.
• Data Deficient is an IUCN category indicating insufficient information.
• Floristic surveys are key tools for documenting plant diversity.

Conservation Status and Research Outlook

Based on available data, the species has been provisionally assessed as Data Deficient under the IUCN Red List criteria, reflecting the need for further field studies to assess population size, distribution, and threats. The detailed findings, including morphological description, phylogenetic analysis, and photographic documentation, have been published in the Indian Journal of Forestry, contributing valuable baseline data for future conservation and ecological research.