Guwahati: Dr. Dipankar Bora wrapped up an eight-year research project. The Kaliabor College botany professor added 43 plant species to the scientific record. He spent his time hunting for undocumented flora across Assam and the surrounding Northeast states. He started this specific work in 2018.
His discoveries cover various genera including Begonia, Henckelia, Peliosanthes, Mycetia, Aristolochia, and Chlorophytum. Four specific species highlight their regional roots by carrying names like assamica or assamensis. This list features Aristolochia assamica, Chlorophytum assamicum, Peliosanthes macrophylla var. assamensis, and Mycetia assamensis.
Locals knew these plants long before science caught up. Residents call Aristolochia assamica by the name Ishwarimool. The Karbi community refers to the same plant as Rui etpi. Bora also found several species across Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Tripura.
He kept things personal with his naming choices. He honored his parents by naming two distinct species Begonia bijantiae and Peliosanthes maheswariana. Reflecting on the vast diversity of the region, Bora noted, "Dr Bora has been involved in plant research since 2018, with his primary focus on discovering and documenting plants that have not previously been scientifically described and named."
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