Discovery of New Floral Species in Manas National Park

On October 22, 2026, researchers Barnali Das and Namita Nath published the scientific description of a new floral species, Osbeckia assamensis, discovered in Assam's Manas National Park.

Key Facts

New Species: Osbeckia assamensis is a perennial shrub belonging to the family Melastomataceae and the genus Osbeckia.
Research Publication: Its scientific description was published on October 22, 2026, in the plant taxonomy journal Phytotaxa.
Discovery Location: During botanical surveys from 2021 to 2025, this species was found as scattered populations in the grasslands of Manas National Park.
Specimen Collection: The first reference specimen was collected on October 8, 2022, while another specimen was recorded in October 2025.
Physical Characteristics: The plant reaches a height of approximately 2–2.5 meters. Its pink flowers are about 3–3.5 cm in size, with 30–35 flowers blooming per inflorescence. Flowering and fruiting occur from September to February.
Scientific Identification: It was distinguished from the related species Osbeckia nayarii based on the stem, leaves, inflorescence, hairy margins of the calyx, and seed shape.
Conservation Status: Researchers have categorized it as Data Deficient (DD) under IUCN criteria, as sufficient information is not yet available to assess its extinction risk.
Public Announcement: On October 26, 2026, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared the discovery of this new species publicly.