Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Scientists discovered a new flowering plant species in Manas National Park. Researchers Barnali Das and Namita Nath detailed the find in the journal Phytotaxa on October 22. They conducted field surveys from 2021 to 2025 and found the plant in scattered populations throughout the park grasslands.
The plant is called Osbeckia assamensis. It belongs to the Melastomataceae family and grows as a perennial shrub between two and 2.5 metres tall. The plant blooms and fruits from September to February. Each cluster holds 30 to 35 pink flowers that measure 3 to 3.5 centimetres.
The team verified the species by checking its physical traits against related plants and herbarium specimens. While the plant looks like Osbeckia nayarii, the researchers noted specific differences. They cited variations in stem structure, hairy calyx margins, seed size, and flower arrangement. "The identification of Osbeckia assamensis adds to the documented floral diversity of Manas and reinforces the importance of conserving natural habitats that sustain the state's rich biodiversity."
The researchers collected the first reference specimen in the park on October 8, 2022. They documented a second specimen in October 2025. This find points to the massive scientific potential hiding in the forests and grasslands of Assam.
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