A groundbreaking discovery has been made in the pristine landscapes of Arunachal Pradesh – a new mycotrophic species of the genus Gastrodia, aptly named Gastrodia lohitensis. This remarkable find boasts unique white flowers and parallelly arranged oblong-linear calli along the labellum, distinguishing it from other species.

The Gastrodia lohitensis has been classified as “Endangered” according to the IUCN Red List criteria, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts. The species is named after the Lohit district, where it was collected, highlighting the region’s rich biodiversity.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Pema Khandu, took to social media platform X to congratulate Dr. Krishna Chowlu and the entire team at the Botanical Survey of India, Arunachal, for this incredible achievement. This breakthrough underscores the importance of preserving our natural heritage and protecting endangered species.