By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 24: A new species of flowering plant, Begonia neisti B Hajong, N Bhat and P Bharali, has been discovered in the remote Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh. This botanical discovery was made by Dr Nazir Ahmad Bhat, Assistant Professor at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), in collaboration with Bipankar Hajong, PhD scholar at CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), and Dr Pankaj Bharali, Senior Scientist at CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat.
Speaking on the discovery, Dr Nazir Ahmad Bhat said, “Begonia neisti is a unique species with variegated leaves that feature white-silver circular spots and dark brownish-red patches near the vein junctions. Its distinctive morphological traits, including large leaves and a prominent white stripe on the stems and petioles, distinguish it from other known species in the Begonia genus.”
The species was found thriving on moist hilly slopes along the roads between Hunli and Anini, with its flowering period observed from November to January. The discovery was confirmed through advanced molecular phylogenetic analysis, particularly using the ITS2 marker. This genetic analysis revealed close evolutionary relationships with other species in the Begonia section Platycentrum from the Indian subcontinent.
The research, published in the Nordic Journal of Botany (John Wiley & Sons Ltd), provides comprehensive details on the species’ morphology, genetics, and ecological significance.