Nagaland University Researchers Discover New Plant Species In North East
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Nagaland University researchers have discovered a new plant species located in the high-altitude forests of Nagaland, underscoring the region’s significance as a biodiversity hotspot in Northeast India and the importance of community-led forest conservation.
The newly identified species is called Hoya nagaensis and was discovered during systematic botanical explorations of under-explored forest areas in the State. Large parts of Nagaland’s forests remain scientifically undocumented, limiting accurate biodiversity assessment and effective conservation planning. The research team undertook detailed field surveys and taxonomic studies to address this gap and improve scientific understanding of the region’s plant diversity.
The study was led by Principal Investigator Dr. Gyati Yam, Department of Forestry, Nagaland University with Ms. Vieneite-o Koza and Mr. Joynath Pegu, Researchers, Nagaland University. The research was funded by Nagaland University under the Start-Up Project for Young Faculty (SUPYF).
The findings were published in Kew Bulletin (DOI: 10.1007/s12225-025-10359-9), a peer-reviewed international journal publishing authoritative research on plant and fungal taxonomy, systematics, nomenclature and global biodiversity.
Congratulating the researchers, Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor, Nagaland University, said, “The discovery of a new plant species by Nagaland University researchers highlights the extraordinary biodiversity of Northeast India. It provides strong evidence that community-protected forests in Nagaland are vital refuges for rare and endemic plants. This work not only strengthens India’s botanical records but also contributes valuable data to global plant science and conservation efforts.”
Elaborating on the study, Dr. Gyati Yam, Assistant Professor, Department of Forestry, Nagaland University, “Our focused on exploring high-altitude forests, identifying and describing previously unknown plant species, documenting regional biodiversity, and assessing the conservation status of rare and endemic plants. A key emphasis was also placed on understanding the role of community-reserved forests in protecting fragile ecosystems.”
Future work will focus on monitoring the species in the wild, studying its ecology, pollination biology and ornamental potential, assessing long-term conservation threats, and exploring nearby forest areas for additional undocumented plant species.
Ms. Vieneite-o Koza, Researcher, Nagaland University, said, “The unique aspect of research includes is the discovery and formal scientific description of Hoya nagaensis, a species previously unknown to science. The plant displays distinctive leaf shapes and floral characteristics that clearly differentiate it from other known species in the Hoya genus. The findings provide strong evidence that community-protected forests in Nagaland are critical refuges for rare and endemic plant species, contributing valuable data to global plant science and strengthening India’s botanical records.”
Mr. Joynath Pegu, Researchers, Nagaland University, added, “The species is currently known only from a single location in the Kavünhou Community Reserved Forest in Phek district. Owing to its extremely restricted distribution and threats such as shifting cultivation and forest disturbance, it has been provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered. The discovery highlights the effectiveness of traditional forest stewardship practiced by local Naga communities in conserving biodiversity.”
Beyond its scientific identification, the discovery highlights the Eastern Himalaya’s temperate forest ecosystems as rich sources of botanical novelty. The study provides detailed habitat information and comparisons with related taxa, offering valuable baseline data for future botanical and ecological research in the region.
By documenting the unique physical traits and ecological context of the plant, the researchers have enhanced the taxonomic framework for the genus Hoya and opened avenues for further study on morphological diversity within the group.
