Begonia nyishiorum:
New flowering plant species discovered in Arunachal’s East Kameng; named after state’s largest tribe
- Begonia nyishiorum is a new species of flowering plant.
- It is endemic to the East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.
- It grows in moist, shaded mountain slopes between 1,500 and 3,000 metres above sea level.
- It is instantly recognisable by the dense crimson, fringed scales that sheath its light green petioles-an indumentum previously unseen in any Asian begonia.
- Currently known only from two forest sites in East Kameng, the species’ petiole “fringe” sets it apart from over 2,150 accepted begonias worldwide.
- The epithet nyishiorum honours the Nyishi community whose traditional stewardship protects these high-elevation forests.
- The species is assessed as Data Deficient according to the IUCN Red List criteria.
