Guwahati: In a remarkable botanical breakthrough, Hymenidium amabile, a rare plant species from the Apiaceae family, has been rediscovered in India after more than a century. A team of researchers from the Divisional Forest Office, Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, in collaboration with the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), made the discovery near Lagong Tso Lake in Tawang district at an altitude of 4,654 meters.
The plant was last recorded from a specimen collected in Sikkim between 1906 and 1910. It was identified by researchers Dr. Manas Bhaumik, Mr. Suman Halder, and Dr. Anand Kumar, following initial observations by Mr. Tage Haniya, Mr. Abhijeet Das, and Mr. Lishi Tossu, under the leadership of Mr. Piyush A. Gaikwad, Divisional Forest Officer, Tawang. Their findings have been published in Oryx—The International Journal of Conservation by Cambridge University Press.
Originally described in 1912 from Chumbi Valley, Tibet, Hymenidium amabile—formerly known as Pleurospermum amabile—is known to occur in Bhutan, China, and India. The rediscovery not only confirms its presence in India but also highlights the immense floral diversity of the region. The plant was observed growing on rocky alpine slopes, with a small population of four to five mature individuals and a few immature ones. It is characterized by hollow, aromatic stems, pinnately compound leaves, white petiole wings with purple veins, dark purple petals, and a solitary umbel inflorescence.
Beyond its botanical rarity, Hymenidium amabile holds medicinal significance in Bhutan and China. The species is known to exhibit antimicrobial, antiparasitic, and immunomodulatory properties, making it a subject of interest for further scientific research and conservation efforts.
Given its restricted distribution, the research team plans to assess the plant for inclusion in the IUCN Red List.
Arunachal Pradesh, one of the world’s 12 mega biodiversity hotspots, is home to numerous endemic and rare species. However, increasing environmental pressures pose a threat to its delicate ecosystems. Mr. Piyush A. Gaikwad, Divisional Forest Officer, Tawang, emphasized the importance of this discovery, stating, “The finding of this species in this region is a welcome sign, and we are undertaking more explorations in the remote areas of Tawang for the discovery of rare species and their conservation.”
This rediscovery underscores the need for continued field studies and conservation initiatives in the Indian Himalayas. With further botanical research and protection measures, more hidden botanical gems like Hymenidium amabile may come to light, further enriching India’s rich floral heritage.
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