TY -JOUR
AU -Madhusudhan Khanal
AU -Nirjala Khanal
AU -Shuvadip Sarkar
AU -Santosh Kumar Rai
AU -Devendra Kumar
TI -<i>Ophiorrhiza himadrica</i> & <i>Ophiorrhiza bharat</i> (Rubiaceae), two new species from Arunachal Pradesh, India
PY -2026
DA -2026-04-06
JO -Taiwania
VL -71
IS -2
SP -325
EP -334
UR -https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2176
AB -Two new species of <i>Ophiorrhiza</i> (Rubiaceae), <i>Ophiorrhiza himadrica</i> M.Khanal, D.Kumar & S.Sarkar, and <i>Ophiorrhiza bharat</i> M.Khanal, D.Kumar & S.Sarkar, are described and illustrated from Arunachal Pradesh, India, situated within the Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot. <i>Ophiorrhiza himadrica</i> was discovered in a temperate mixed forest near Menchuka and shows morphological affinity with <i>O. medogensis</i> H. Li, whereas O. bharat, found in a subtropical evergreen forest near Hone village, resembles <i>O. ochroleuca</i> Hook.f. to some extent. Despite their superficial similarities with allied taxa, both species can be readily distinguished by a unique combination of vegetative and floral characters. Detailed morphological descriptions, diagnostic comparisons with closely related species, colour photographic plates, notes on phenology and habitat, biogeographical discussion, ecological differentiation, and preliminary conservation assessments are provided to facilitate accurate identification and to support future taxonomic and ecological research in the region.
DO -10.6165/tai.2026.71.325