Agartala, August 16, 2025: In a breakthrough for Indian botany, researchers from Tripura University have reported the presence of Mycetia malayana, a rare flowering plant species, for the first time in the country.

The plant was identified near the remote Kachari Waterfall in North Tripura’s Kanchanpur subdivision during a recent field survey led by Dr. Dixit Bora from the university’s Botany Department.

“Initially, we came across two Mycetia species near the waterfall. One matched the known Mycetia longiflora, but the other did not resemble any recorded species from the region. A detailed taxonomic study later confirmed it as Mycetia malayana,” Dr. Bora explained.

Previously, the plant had only been recorded in Malaya, Borneo, and Thailand, and was considered extinct in Singapore. With this discovery, India’s documented Mycetia species count has risen from eight to nine.

Dr. Bora noted that the survey had been delayed multiple times due to poor connectivity to the Kachari Waterfall area. “When we finally managed to reach, the sighting of M. malayana alongside M. longiflora was a remarkable moment,” he added.

Experts have hailed the finding as a major addition to India’s floral diversity. Botanists believe the discovery underscores Tripura’s ecological wealth and stresses the need for further exploration of lesser-known forest landscapes.

The presence of Mycetia malayana in India is expected to open new research opportunities into its distribution patterns and conservation needs.