Report by Swasti Sharma
The scientists of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have discovered a new species of epiphytic plant.
Epiphytic plants are the plants that grow on the surface of another plant and take required moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water and dust accumulating around them. These types of plants are mainly found in tropical and subtropical regions.
The discovery of new species was made in Pakke-Kessang, a district of Arunachal Pradesh. It belongs to the family of Gesneriaceae. The new species is named as Lysionotus namchoomii. It is to honour Mr. Chau Phunkyoo Nomchoon, a social reformer from Arunachal Pradesh’s Khapti community.
This species bears thick leaves and attractive purple flowers. These are assessed as “Critically endangered” in accordance with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list.
Lysionotus are found in the regions from Himalayas to Japan and Indo-China. Approximately 50% of the species found are endemic (natively found in Arunachal Pradesh).