Guwahati: A botanist from Assam is part of a research team that has discovered and formally described a new species of Begonia from a remote river valley in Arunachal Pradesh, adding to the Northeast’s growing record of plant diversity.
The newly identified species, Begonia neelamorum, was discovered in Keyi Panyor district and described in the latest issue of the journal Taiwania. Dipankar Borah, from the Department of Botany at Kaliabor College in Nagaon, is the lead author of the research paper.
The plant was found during an expedition to a remote river valley, where researchers encountered an unusual single-leaf, tuberous Begonia growing on steep, moist walls along the Keyi River at an elevation of around 1,000 metres.
Detailed morphological examination and comparisons with herbarium specimens showed that the plant did not correspond to any previously described species. The type specimen was collected on May 24, 2026, by Borah, Madhusudhan Khanal and G. Neelam.
Distinctive Features
Begonia neelamorum is a small plant measuring around 10-20 cm in height, with a single, sessile, light-green leaf. Its leaves feature distinctive double-serrated margins and glandular hairs.
The plant produces white male and female flowers on an inflorescence emerging from the stem apex.
Researchers found the species to be most closely similar to Begonia prolifera. However, it differs in several characteristics, including its densely glandular-hispid surface, terete stem, ovate leaves with double-serrated margins, distinct inflorescence structure and shorter styles.
Named After Nyishi Clan
The species name neelamorum honours the Neelam clan of the Nyishi tribe, whose members assisted the researchers in collecting the plant during what the study described as a particularly challenging expedition.
The name also refers to Neelam village, located nearby. The plant has been given the Nyishi vernacular name “Kobiirhopu Baabrai.”
Known From a Single Locality
The species is currently known only from one locality in Keyi Panyor, where researchers documented four populations across an area of approximately 3 sq km.
However, researchers believe its distribution could extend beyond the known site, as several remote river valleys in the region remain poorly explored.
The species has been provisionally assessed as Data Deficient (DD) under IUCN criteria because information on its overall distribution and population size remains limited. While no immediate threats have been identified at the known site, researchers have recommended continued monitoring and conservation measures.
The discovery further highlights the botanical diversity of Northeast India. With Begonia neelamorum, the number of species in Begonia section Monophyllon has risen to six, while the total number of Begonia species recorded from Northeast India has reached 54.