Guwahati, Aug 6: A rare and striking new species of primrose has been discovered in the misty heights of Arunachal Pradesh’s Dibang Valley, offering fresh insight into the rich botanical wealth of the Eastern Himalayas. The species, named Primula indica, has been formally described in the journal Phytotaxa, following extensive fieldwork in 2024.
The discovery was made near the Mayodiya Pass, a scenic yet remote location at an elevation of 2,550 meters. The research team was led by Bipankar Hajong of Bholanath College, Dhubri, and Pankaj Bharali of the CSIR–North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat. The species has been named after India.
What sets Primula indica apart from its closest relative, Primula vilmoriniana of China and Myanmar, is its unique morphology.
While both species share similarities in their delicate orbicular leaves and temperate alpine habitat, the new Indian species bears short petioles, fewer but larger flowers, and a corolla distinguished by broad, obovate violet petals with a golden-yellow eye. The flowers, about 1.2 cm in diameter, bloom between April and July, lending splashes of pale violet to the rocky slopes of Mayodiya.
“Discoveries like this reaffirm the Dibang Valley’s status as one of India’s most biodiverse regions,” said lead researcher Bipankar Hajong. “The valley’s rugged terrain and relatively low human disturbance make it a haven for undiscovered flora.”
During the survey, researchers observed nearly 200 individuals of the species in its type locality. However, its restricted known range has led to a preliminary conservation assessment as Data Deficient (DD) under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines. “Although we recorded a healthy population at the site, the species’ distribution beyond Mayodiya remains unknown. More fieldwork is crucial,” said co-author Pankaj Bharali.
The genus Primula, first described by Linnaeus in 1753, is one of the largest in the primrose family, boasting 548 known species worldwide, particularly concentrated in the Himalayas. In India, around 106 species have been documented so far, the majority thriving in the eastern Himalayan belt of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and neighbouring regions. Botanists regard this region as a global hotspot for primrose diversity.
Historically, only two species of the section Obconicolisteri, to which Primula indica belongs, were known from India: Primula filipes and Primula listeri. The addition of P. indica now makes it the third, strengthening India’s standing in the global taxonomy of the genus.
Beyond its scientific importance, the discovery underscores the urgency of conservation in Arunachal Pradesh. The Dibang Valley, home to indigenous Mishmi communities, is a treasure trove of biodiversity yet faces growing threats from infrastructure expansion and climate change. Botanists warn that without careful protection, newly discovered species like Primula indica could face risks even before their ecological roles are fully understood.
The researchers, supported by CSIR funding, hope that the finding will encourage more botanical expeditions in the Eastern Himalayas and greater awareness about the fragile alpine ecosystems. “Every new discovery is a reminder of how much remains unknown in our mountains,” Hajong added.
With its delicate violet blooms and limited known range, Primula indica now stands as both a symbol of Arunachal’s hidden natural wealth and a call for deeper scientific exploration.
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