Researchers Identify Two New Ophiorrhiza Species in Arunachal Pradesh

Two new plant species, Ophiorrhiza shidiensis and Ophiorrhiza pemae, were identified during botanical surveys in the Vijoynagar area of Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh. The findings were published online on 23 October 2026. Both species belong to the family Rubiaceae.

Taxonomic classification and locality

Ophiorrhiza is a genus of flowering plants in the Rubiaceae family, which is also known as the coffee, madder or bedstraw family. The family includes plants such as coffee and madder. The two newly described species were found in the eastern Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh, within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. The research team comprised Krishna Chowlu and Vinay Kumar Sahani of the Botanical Survey of India’s Arunachal Pradesh Regional Centre in Itanagar, and Renthlei Lalnunfeli of the Department of Botany at Madras Christian College, Chennai.

Plant features and identification

Ophiorrhiza shidiensis is an erect perennial herb that grows up to one metre tall. Its leaves have pale green undersides, and its tubular flowers are white at the base, pale pink in the middle and rose-pink near the mouth. Ophiorrhiza pemae is closely related to Ophiorrhiza himadrica. It differs in its taller growth, larger leaves with distinctive margins, and light pink to purplish flowers. These morphological features help distinguish it from its close relative.

Field surveys and species names

Researchers first observed populations of the plants in March 2025 and returned to the sites in April 2026 to collect specimens for detailed examination. Ophiorrhiza shidiensis takes its name from “Shidi”, the Lisu (Yobin) community’s traditional name for Gandhigram, the collection locality. The name Ophiorrhiza pemae honours Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu. Khandu expressed gratitude to the research team on 25 October 2026.

Important Facts for Exams

• Rubiaceae is commonly called the coffee, madder or bedstraw family.
• The Botanical Survey of India was established in 1890.
• Species names in scientific binomial nomenclature consist of a genus name and a specific epithet.
• The Indo-Burma region is recognised as a biodiversity hotspot.

Both newly described species were recorded in Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh. The surveys and specimen collections took place in 2025 and 2026.</numerusform