Scientists Identify Osbeckia assamensis in Manas National Park

Researchers Barnali Das and Namita Nath described a new pink-flowering plant species, Osbeckia assamensis, from Manas National Park in Assam. Their study was published in the botanical journal Phytotaxa on 22 October 2026. The species was scientifically identified on 26 October 2026 after field surveys in the park between 2021 and 2025.

Taxonomy and Physical Features

Osbeckia assamensis is a perennial shrub in the family Melastomataceae. It grows to a height of about 2–2.5 metres. Its pink flowers measure approximately 3–3.5 centimetres, and each cluster contains around 30–35 blooms. The plant’s flowering and fruiting season extends from September to February.

Melastomataceae is a family of flowering plants. Osbeckia is a genus within this family, which belongs to the order Myrtales.

Identification and Habitat

Field surveys conducted from 2021 to 2025 recorded scattered populations of the plant in the grasslands of Manas National Park. The first reference specimen was collected there on 8 October 2022, and another specimen was documented in October 2025.

The researchers distinguished O. assamensis from the closely related Osbeckia nayarii by differences in the stem, leaves, flower arrangement, hairy calyx margins and seed size. A calyx is the outer floral part formed by sepals.

Conservation Assessment and Park Status

The conservation status of O. assamensis has been classified as Data Deficient under the IUCN criteria. This category applies when available information is insufficient to assess a species’ risk of extinction.

Manas National Park is in Assam, along the Himalayan foothills. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a tiger reserve and a biosphere reserve.

Important Facts for Exams

• Osbeckia assamensis belongs to the family Melastomataceae and the genus Osbeckia.
• The plant’s flowering and fruiting season runs from September to February.
• Data Deficient is an IUCN category for species whose extinction risk cannot be assessed because of insufficient information.
• Manas National Park has UNESCO World Heritage Site status and is part of the Manas Tiger Reserve.

Phytotaxa is a botanical journal in which the description of the new species was published. The species was recorded in the grasslands of Manas National Park, Assam.