New Plant Species Phlogacanthus sudhansusekharii Discovered in Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh

Itanagar, July 18, 2024 — Researchers from the Botanical Survey of India have announced the discovery of a new plant species, Phlogacanthus sudhansusekharii, within the Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh. This species belongs to the Phlogacanthus genus of the Acanthaceae family and is named in honor of Dr. Sudhansu Sekhar Dash, recognizing his significant contributions to botanical and ecological research in the Indian Himalayan Region.

The discovery of Phlogacanthus sudhansusekharii enriches India’s biodiversity records, highlighting the nation’s diverse natural heritage and the critical importance of conserving such ecosystems.

Earlier in June, researchers from the Arunachal Pradesh Regional Centre of the Botanical Survey of India identified another new plant species, Petrocosmea arunachalense, in the Mandala region of West Kameng district. This discovery marks only the second species of its genus found in India within the family Gesneriaceae.

These findings underscore Arunachal Pradesh’s status as a biodiversity hotspot renowned for its rich flora. Petrocosmea arunachalense contributes to the expanding list of unique plant species in the state, emphasizing the ongoing imperative for conservation efforts to safeguard its natural treasures.