In a significant botanical breakthrough, three rare and remarkable orchid species have been added to the floral diversity of Arunachal Pradesh, reinforcing the state's reputation as a biodiversity hotspot in the Eastern Himalayas. The discovery was made by a dedicated team of researchers led by Dr. Jambey Tsering, a scientist at the Orchid Research Centre, Tipi.

The Newly Discovered Orchids:

Agrostophyllum flavidum

Previously known only from Meghalaya, where it was first described in 1990, this rare orchid has now been rediscovered in Tawang after 34 years, marking its first-ever record outside Meghalaya. Endemic to India, its reappearance in Arunachal significantly extends its known geographical range.

Neottia listeroides

A unique, leafless terrestrial orchid that depends entirely on fungi for nutrition (mycoheterotrophic). Found in the dense conifer forests of Taktsang, Tawang, this species was earlier known only from the Western to Central Himalayas, making this a noteworthy range expansion.

Hemipilia calcicola

A delicate orchid thriving in high-altitude alpine meadows, this species was discovered at an elevation of 14,960 feet in Lunge, near the Indo-China border. Previously recorded only from Sikkim and Uttarakhand, its presence in Arunachal Pradesh highlights the state's high-altitude floral richness.

The Discovery Team

The significant find was made by a multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Jambey Tsering (Orchid Research Centre, Tipi), and included T. Haniya (Range Forest Officer), K. Chowlu (Scientist), O. Apang (Orchidologist), and H. B. Abo (Director, State Forest Research Institute), along with several field researchers.

This discovery not only underscores the ecological wealth of Arunachal Pradesh but also calls attention to the need for continued exploration and conservation of the state’s fragile mountain ecosystems.