Actinidia Indica : New Species Of Wild Kiwi

Actinidia Indica : New Species Of Wild Kiwi

Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have identified a new species of wild kiwi, Actinidia indica (Actinidiaceae), in Arunachal Pradesh.

• Actinidia Indica is a new species of wild kiwi.
• The species has been recorded only from a narrow stretch near Ziro Valley.
• It thrives in a biologically rich transition zone between temperate and subtropical forests.
• Actinidia indica is a perennial climbing shrub.
• It features densely hairy young branches, large ovate leaves, and white to creamy flowers.
• The plant bears globose, olive-green fruits with a distinctive reticulate lenticel pattern, a key identifying trait.
• The discovery increases the global count of Actinidia species, only a few of which occur in India.