Two exotic orchids from Myanmar and China found in Arunachal

Guwahati: In a remarkable breakthrough for orchid research in India, two rare orchid species—Gastrochilus pechei and Cylindrolobus gaoligongensis—have been recorded for the first time in the country from the remote Vijoynagar region of Changlang district in Arunachal Pradesh. The discoveries significantly enrich India’s orchid diversity and underscore the ecological importance of the Eastern Himalayas as a global biodiversity hotspot.

The studies, conducted by researchers from the Society for Education and Environmental Development (SEED), Arunachal Pradesh, and the Regional Orchids Germplasm Conservation and Propagation Centre of The Orchid Society of Eastern Himalaya (TOSEHIM), Assam, have been formally published in peer-reviewed journals.

Gastrochilus pechei: From Myanmar to India

Previously known only from Myanmar’s Kachin state, Gastrochilus pechei has now been documented in India for the first time. The orchid is characterized by its yellow sepals and petals with purplish spots, a distinct sub-triangular epichile with erose margins, and a subglobose hypochile. The discovery adds to the tally of Gastrochilus species in India, raising the total to 23, of which 16 are now confirmed from Arunachal Pradesh alone.

“This record provides evidence of the floristic continuity between Myanmar and Northeast India. With further field investigations, we expect more undocumented orchid species to be found,” said co-author Dr. Khyanjeet Gogoi of TOSEHIM.

Cylindrolobus gaoligongensis: A First Outside China

In a second breakthrough, the team reported Cylindrolobus gaoligongensis—earlier known only from Yunnan, China—from the same forested landscape in Changlang. This species bears white flowers with orange-pink markings, hairy lips, and lanceolate petals, making it distinct from closely related Indian species. Its presence increases the number of Cylindrolobus orchids known in India to 12.

The species was found growing epiphytically in moist, subtropical evergreen forests near riverbanks at altitudes of 1,100–1,250 meters. Researchers caution that habitat degradation from illegal logging and shifting cultivation could threaten its survival.

Conservation Significance

Orchidaceae is one of the largest plant families in India, with over 1,430 documented species. The Northeast alone accounts for nearly 70% of the country’s orchid wealth, making discoveries like these vital for conservation and sustainable ecological planning.

“These findings highlight the hidden botanical treasures of Arunachal Pradesh,” said lead author Vinay Kumar Sahani of SEED. “Protecting such habitats is crucial, not only for science but also for maintaining the ecological balance of the region.”

Both orchids have been preserved as voucher specimens in the TOSEHIM herbarium in Assam, ensuring reference material for future taxonomic and conservation work.

With these new additions, scientists believe that Arunachal Pradesh—often referred to as the “Orchid Paradise of India”—still holds many undiscovered floral secrets waiting to be revealed through continued fieldwork and international collaboration.

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