Rare Flowering Plant Rediscovered in Assam After 180 Years

Guwahati: A rare flower thought lost for nearly 180 years just turned up in the Jatinga Hills. Researchers from Assam University, Debjyoti Bhattacharyya and Kangkan Kumar Das, spotted the plant during a survey in the Dima Hasao district. It is a win for biodiversity.

Known as Rungia mastersii, the plant features pale green and white petals marked with purple patterns. Botanist J.W. Masters first logged the flower in 1845 at an unknown site in Assam. Nobody had seen it since. The team published their findings in a peer-reviewed international journal.

The species occupies a tiny range. It remains poorly understood. "The researchers said the rediscovery underscores the remarkable floristic diversity of northeastern India, particularly Assam, while also drawing attention to the need for conservation."

The scientists want more field surveys to find other populations. They need to map out threats and build management plans to keep the plant alive.