A new flowering plant species, Begonia neelamorum, has been described from Keyi Panyor district of Arunachal Pradesh, adding to the rich floral diversity of Northeast India. 

Key Features of the New Species

The plant was found growing on steep, moist walls along the Keyi River at about 1,000 metres above sea level.

• Begonia neelamorum is a small, tuberous and single-leaved plant, generally around 10–20 cm tall.
• Its light-green leaf has double-serrated margins and glandular hairs, helping distinguish it from closely related species.
• It produces white male and female flowers, with its inflorescence arising from the base of the leaf.
• Morphological comparison showed that it is closely related to Begonia prolifera but differs in leaf structure, stem characteristics, inflorescence and shorter styles.

Community Connection

• An important feature of the discovery is its connection with the Nyishi community.
• The species was named after the Neelam clan of the Nyishi community, whose members assisted researchers during the difficult expedition. 
• The plant is locally known as Kobiirhopu Baabrai.

This highlights the importance of traditional ecological knowledge and local communities in biodiversity documentation and conservation.

Conservation Significance

• The species is currently known from a very limited area in Keyi Panyor and has been provisionally assessed as Data Deficient under IUCN criteria. 
• With this discovery, the number of recorded Begonia species in Northeast India has reached 54. 
• Globally, Begonia is one of the largest genera of flowering plants, with around 2,200 accepted species distributed mainly across tropical and subtropical regions.

Exam Hook: Key Takeaway

The discovery of Begonia neelamorum highlights the exceptional plant diversity of Arunachal Pradesh and the importance of scientific exploration combined with community knowledge.

One-line wrap: Begonia neelamorum adds another chapter to Northeast India’s botanical diversity while showing how science and indigenous knowledge can work together in conservation.