New Flower Species Discovered in Assam’s Manas National Park After Years of Research

A new flowering plant species discovered in Assam’s Manas National Park has added to the region’s rich biodiversity, highlighting how years of field research can reveal botanical treasures hidden within India’s forests and grasslands.

Named Osbeckia assamensis, the newly identified species was announced by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday. The discovery adds to the state’s documented plant diversity and draws attention to the ecological importance of Manas, one of Assam’s most significant natural landscapes.

State Environment and Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said researchers Barnali Das and Namita Nath described the species in a study published in the botanical journal Phytotaxa on October 22. Their findings were based on extensive field surveys conducted between 2021 and 2025, during which the plant was recorded in scattered populations across the grasslands of Manas.

Belonging to the Melastomataceae family, Osbeckia assamensis is a perennial shrub that grows between 2 and 2.5 metres tall. Its pink flowers measure around 3 to 3.5 centimetres, with each cluster carrying approximately 30 to 35 flowers. The plant flowers and bears fruit between September and February, bringing colour to the park’s grasslands during these months.

According to the minister, the researchers established the plant’s distinct identity through a detailed examination of its physical characteristics and comparisons with related species. The first reference specimen was collected in Manas on October 8, 2022, while another was documented in October 2025.

Sarma said the discovery, along with recent findings of other plant and animal species in Assam, reflected the importance of nature conservation. Mallabaruah also stressed that the state’s forests and grasslands continue to hold botanical discoveries that science is still uncovering.

The finding underscores the value of protecting natural habitats while supporting scientific research. Grasslands, often overlooked in favour of forests, can sustain distinctive plant communities whose diversity may remain undocumented for years.

For Manas, the identification of Osbeckia assamensis is not just an addition to a scientific catalogue. It is another reminder that conserving biodiversity can help uncover and protect species that are still waiting to be understood.