Stellaria bengalensis:
Researchers from the Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong discovered a new plant species and named it as Stellaria bengalensis.
- S. bengalensis is the annual herb plant of the genus Stellaria (family Caryophyllaceae).
- It was found growing on muddy soil slopes — at altitudes of 2,245-2,450 metres in the Sangser forest, Kalimpong.
- It is an annual herb growing to a height of 8 to 10.5 cm, characterized by white flowers, absence of bract, shorter petals (or included within the sepal), sharp and pointed seeds.
- Flowering and fruiting occur during May to September.
- India has around 22 Stellaria species mostly distributed in the Himalayan region.
- The researchers have for the time being assessed the new species as ‘data deficient’ under International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria.
- Other species Stellaria mcclintockiae, of the same genus, was found on Nelliyampathy Hills of Kerala.
