A rare flowering shrub believed to have vanished from Indian botanical records for over two centuries has been rediscovered in Assam’s Bongaigaon district, marking a significant milestone for botanical research in the state.
Assam Forest and Climate Change Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah announced that the species, Ardisia colorata, was rediscovered in the Abhayapuri area by Gauhati University researchers Manash Baruah and Nilakshee Devi during extensive botanical surveys conducted across Assam between 2020 and 2025.
According to the minister, the finding represents the first confirmed record of the species in India in nearly 204 years. The shrub was originally described in 1821 by British horticulturist George Loddiges but had largely disappeared from scientific records and botanical literature in the country.
To verify the identity of the plant, the researchers examined its flowers, leaves and historical descriptions, distinguishing it from closely related species. Their research, published in the journal Feddes Repertorium, also helped clarify long-standing confusion surrounding the plant’s scientific classification and nomenclature.
The study documented only 12 individual plants at the Abhayapuri site, underscoring both the rarity of the species and the urgent need to conserve its habitat.
An evergreen shrub, Ardisia colorata thrives in cool, shaded and humid forest environments and produces attractive pink, reddish or purplish flowers.
Describing the discovery as a major achievement for Assam’s scientific community, Jayanta Malla Baruah said the state’s forests continue to shelter numerous plant species that remain poorly understood or unexplored.
He emphasized the importance of strengthening botanical research, protecting undisturbed forest ecosystems and documenting plant diversity to ensure the conservation of rare and endangered species.
The rediscovery, he added, highlights the rich ecological and scientific value of Assam’s natural heritage and reinforces the need to preserve it for future generations.
