Researchers of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal, have discovered a new endangeredspeciesof plant belonging to the African Violets family inMizoramand its adjacent areas inMyanmar.
The newly-described species Didymocarpus vickifunkiae (Gesneriaceae) is currently known to grow in three locations in the frontier state Mizoram. It is an epiphyte, Plants that grow on trees, and produce Light pink flowers during monsoon. The species is named in honour of Dr Vicki Ann Funk, a renowned botanist, who worked at the Smithsonian Institute, USA.
Along with other discoveries, this recent find shows that the rich of the northeastern states remains unexplored and there are many species of plants waiting to be discovered. Researches have always been allured by the complex geology and climatic conditions ofnortheast India, which is Home to a diverse range of Flora and Fauna. However, much of it remains poorly documented, even as theIISER Bhopalteam was studying the evolution and biogeography of Didymocarpus plants.