Title: Botanical Survey of India Rediscovers Rare Himalayan Flower After 158 Years

Shakuntla Ranawat

Meta Description: Rediscovered in Arunachal Pradesh after 158 years, Cyananthus hookeri highlights the importance of botanical exploration and biodiversity conservation in the eastern Himalayas.

In September 2025, scientists from the Botanical Survey of India rediscovered Cyananthus hookeri, a tiny Himalayan flowering plant that had not been recorded in India for 158 years.

The plant was found growing on alpine grassy and rocky slopes near Chuna Valley, close to Mago village in Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang district, at an altitude of about 3,600 metres. For botanists, this marked the return of a species that had almost vanished from India's botanical history.

The last confirmed Indian record of Cyananthus hookeri dates back to 1867, when eminent British botanist Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker collected the species in Sikkim. Since then, no verified record of the plant had been reported from India.

Its rediscovery in Arunachal Pradesh closes a remarkable 158-year gap and represents the first documented record of the species from the state, expanding its known distribution within the country. The study was carried out by BSI scientists Dr Subhajit Lahiri, Dr Monalisa Das and Dr Sudhansu Sekhar Dash.

A resilient survivor of the high Himalayas
Cyananthus hookeri belongs to the bellflower family (Campanulaceae) and is a small alpine herb with distinctive purple-blue flowers. Like other members of the genus Cyananthus, it is native to the Sino-Himalayan region, where species are characteristic components of alpine meadows.

These high-altitude habitats, though seemingly sparse, support specialised plant communities adapted to rocky terrain, low temperatures and a short growing season.

The discovery also comes with a warning. During their field survey, researchers observed only three to seven mature plants at the site, along with a few immature individuals. Based on available evidence, they estimate that fewer than 50 mature individuals exist in India.

The researchers have therefore recommended that Cyananthus hookeri be categorised as Endangered nationally under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria. The recommendation reflects its restricted distribution and the very small known population, highlighting the need for conservation attention.

Why does this matter?
This rediscovery demonstrates the continuing importance of botanical field surveys and herbarium collections. Historical specimens collected more than 150 years ago provided the reference that enabled scientists to identify the plant with confidence.

The rediscovery also points to how much remains unknown about the Himalayan flora. "The Himalayas, particularly the remote regions of Arunachal Pradesh, remain among the least explored botanical landscapes in the world. Difficult terrain, limited accessibility and a short flowering season mean that many plant species are rarely encountered," says Dr Subhajit Lahiri, Research Associate III at the Central National Herbarium, Botanical Survey of India, Howrah.

"Rediscoveries such as Cyananthus hookeri remind us that there are still significant gaps in our understanding of Himalayan biodiversity. Continued scientific exploration, supported by modern taxonomic research and conservation efforts, is essential to document and protect this remarkable flora," he adds.

This rediscovery is one of the scientific milestones that helps update biodiversity records, improve our understanding of species distribution and provide valuable information for conservation planning.

Shakuntla Ranawat is a science journalist, book reviewer and content strategist.