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Saussurea (Cyananthus) hookeri Rediscovered After 158 Years
Context
Scientists of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have rediscovered the rare alpine plant Cyananthus hookeri in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh, part of the Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot, after a gap of 158 years. The species was last recorded in 1867 by the renowned British botanist Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker during his explorations in Sikkim.
About the Species
Cyananthus hookeri belongs to the Campanulaceae (Bellflower) family. It is a small, dwarf, tuft-forming alpine herb bearing attractive purple-blue flowers. The plant grows in alpine meadows and rocky slopes at elevations of around 3,600 metres, where it is adapted to harsh climatic conditions. Besides India, it is also found in Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Tibet.
Conservation Significance
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Cyananthus hookeri, a rare alpine plant, rediscovered in Tawang after 158 years by BSI scientists. Fewer than 50 mature plants remain, highlighting urgent conservation needs in Eastern Himalayas.
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