Rediscovery of Ardisia colorata: A Botanical Treasure in Assam
A Rare Find in Assam's Bongaigaon District
The researchers documented 12 Ardisia colorata plants at the Abhaypuri site. (Photo:@roopak1966/X)
Guwahati, Oct 20: A unique flowering shrub known as Ardisia colorata has been found again in Assam’s Bongaigaon district, over 200 years after its initial description.
This species was located in the Abhaypuri region by researchers Manash Baruah and Nilakshee Devi from the Department of Botany at Gauhati University during their botanical surveys conducted from 2020 to 2025, as shared by Forest and Climate Change Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah on social media.
This marks the first confirmed sighting of the species in India in about 204 years, according to the minister.
Only 12 plants were recorded at the Abhaypuri site, underscoring the significance of this rediscovery and the urgent need to protect its natural habitat, Mallabaruah noted.
The researchers analyzed the plant’s flowers and leaves, along with historical descriptions, to differentiate it from a similar species.
Their research, published in the botanical journal Feddes Repertorium, also clarifies long-standing naming issues that have existed for generations, Mallabaruah added.
This evergreen shrub thrives in shady, humid forest areas and features pink, reddish, or purplish flowers.
The minister emphasized that this discovery highlights the untapped natural treasures within Assam’s forests that are yet to be recognized and understood.
“By fostering botanical research, safeguarding untouched forest habitats, and documenting our plant diversity, we can enhance conservation efforts and protect species that might otherwise go unnoticed,” he stated.
He further remarked that Assam’s natural heritage encompasses more than just the commonly observed wildlife, indicating that even lesser-known flowering plants can possess centuries of scientific significance and ecological importance.
“The rediscovery of Ardisia colorata is a moment of pride for Assam’s research community and serves as a reminder that every forest contains stories worth preserving for future generations,” he concluded.
Originally described by British horticulturist George Loddiges in 1821, Ardisia colorata had largely vanished from Indian botanical records, the minister noted.