Guwahati: A plant found during a field survey in Assam’s Rani area has been identified as a new species, adding to the state’s documented plant diversity.
Named Ophiorrhiza assamensis, the species was found along the Sajjanpara-Satargaon Road in Kamrup Metropolitan district. Researchers Selim Mehmud and Birina Bhuyan have described the species in the latest issue of Phytotaxa.
The plant was first collected on June 22, 2024, at an elevation of about 148 metres. During field exploration, the researchers encountered a distinct population and subsequently compared it with closely related species to establish that it represented a new taxon.
Ophiorrhiza assamensis is a small herb measuring about 20–45 cm in length. It has a round, hairy stem, hairy leaves and prominent ovate-to-triangular stipules. Its flowers are white to creamy white and measure about 6–7.5 mm long.
The species was distinguished from two closely related plants, O. mussaendiformis and O. nepalensis, based on several morphological features, including its round stem, hairy ovate-triangular stipules, shorter bracts and exserted stamens. Its ovary is also hairy, unlike those of the two related species.
The researchers observed hairs on several parts of the plant, including the stem, leaves, inflorescence, flowers and capsule.
The flower buds are creamy white with an orange-red throat on the outside, while mature flowers are white or creamy white. Flowering and fruiting were observed from June to July.
Only about 23 young and mature individuals were recorded within one square kilometre during the study. As the species’ total population remains unknown, the researchers classified it as Data Deficient (DD) under the IUCN criteria.
The discovery is notable for coming from Rani in Kamrup Metropolitan district, rather than a remote or high-altitude location.
The finding highlights the potential for further botanical surveys around Guwahati to reveal more about the distribution and diversity of plant species in the region.
The species name assamensis refers to Assam, where the type specimen was collected.
The discovery adds to the known diversity of Ophiorrhiza in the state. According to the paper, around 11 taxa of the genus had previously been recorded in Assam, while about 386 species are known globally.
Mehmud, an independent researcher based in Guwahati, and Bhuyan of Girijananda Chowdhury University are the authors of the study.
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