New plant species discovered in Mizoram’s Murlen National Park
Guwahati: In a remarkable addition to India’s botanical records, scientists have discovered a new species of flowering plant — Ophiorrhiza mizoramensis — from Murlen National Park in Mizoram.
Researchers from Madras Christian College, Pachhunga University College, and The Madura College formally described the species, belonging to the coffee family Rubiaceae, in the Feddes Repertorium journal (October 2025).
The discovery marks an important milestone in documenting the unique biodiversity of Northeast India, one of the world’s most species-rich and least explored regions.
Researchers found the new species during floristic explorations in the park, located in Mizoram’s Champhai district near the Indo-Myanmar border — a hotspot of endemism known for dense forests and complex ecosystems.
Ophiorrhiza mizoramensis stands out for its distinct morphological features that differentiate it from closely related species such as O. gajureliana, O. ripicola, and O. ochroleuca. The species is an erect shrub, growing up to one meter high, with glossy, ovate-elliptic leaves marked by 10 to 19 pairs of lateral veins. Its striking dark purplish-pink tubular flowers, up to 1.8 cm long, and uniquely structured stigma lobes make it a visually distinctive member of the Ophiorrhiza genus.
The species thrives in subtropical wet hill forests between 1,200 and 1,400 meters above sea level, often near streamside habitats. It coexists with other plant species such as Saurauia roxburghii, Luculia pinceana, and Begonia roxburghii, forming part of a delicate ecological community in the park’s humid microclimate.
The researchers have provisionally assessed O. mizoramensis as “Critically Endangered” under the latest IUCN criteria. Fewer than 200 mature individuals were found at the type locality, with an estimated extent of occurrence of only 30 square kilometers. Such a limited population and distribution make the species highly vulnerable to habitat loss and environmental disturbances.
Researchers discovered the species in Murlen National Park, often called the “Lushai Hills’ hidden jewel,” a protected area rich in flora and fauna but threatened by shifting cultivation and human encroachment.
The discovery of O. mizoramensis underscores the urgent need for continued biodiversity surveys and strengthened conservation measures in the region.
The discovery was made possible through a collaborative effort led by Renthlei Lalnunfeli and Lucy Lalawmpuii, with co-authors P. Bharath Simha Yadav, Subbiah Karuppusamy, and Paulraj Selva Singh Richard. The team acknowledged the support of the Mizoram Forest Department and the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, under the DBT-BUILDER scheme.
Dr. Richard, corresponding author from Madras Christian College, said in a statement that the discovery “highlights the untapped botanical wealth of Northeast India and the importance of conserving forest ecosystems that continue to yield new and scientifically significant plant species.”
Researchers recognize the Ophiorrhiza genus for its taxonomic complexity and medicinal potential, as several species contain compounds with pharmacological interest.
The discovery of O. mizoramensis not only enriches the scientific understanding of this genus but also strengthens the case for expanding ecological research in the Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot.
From the shaded forest floor of Murlen National Park emerges a small yet powerful symbol of discovery — one that reminds us how much remains unknown about India’s living heritage, and how crucial it is to protect it before it disappears.