Guwahati, Assam : Researchers have identified Osbeckia assamensis, a previously undocumented flowering plant species in Assam’s Manas National Park, highlighting the region’s rich botanical diversity and the need for continued habitat conservation.
Guwahati: Assam’s biodiversity inventory has expanded with the discovery of a new flowering plant species, Osbeckia assamensis, in the grassland ecosystems of Manas National Park.
The species was identified by researchers Barnali Das and Namita Nath, who documented their findings in the botanical journal Phytotaxa on October 22. The discovery emerged from extensive field surveys carried out in the national park between 2021 and 2025.
Belonging to the Melastomataceae family, Osbeckia assamensis is a perennial shrub that typically reaches a height of 2 to 2.5 metres. The plant bears striking pink flowers measuring about 3 to 3.5 centimetres in diameter, with clusters containing around 30 to 35 blooms. It flowers and fruits during the period from September to February.
According to the researchers, the plant’s status as a distinct species was established through detailed morphological analysis and comparison with closely related species as well as herbarium collections. Although it shares similarities with Osbeckia nayarii, notable differences in stem characteristics, floral arrangement, calyx features and seed morphology confirmed that it represents a separate taxonomic entity.
The first specimen of the species was collected from Manas National Park on October 8, 2022. A second specimen was subsequently documented during fieldwork in October 2025, providing additional evidence of its presence within the protected area.
The discovery further reinforces the ecological significance of Manas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its diverse flora and fauna. Scientists say the finding also points to the possibility of uncovering more undocumented plant species through continued botanical exploration of Assam’s forests and grasslands.
Researchers believe the addition of Osbeckia assamensis to the region’s floral records not only enriches the documented plant diversity of Manas but also underscores the importance of conserving natural habitats that support Assam’s unique and evolving biodiversity.
