In Brief:
- Ophiorrhiza assamensis was discovered near Satargaon by Dr. Birina Bhuyan of Girijananda Chowdhury University (GCU) alongside researcher Selim Mehmud.
- The research was formally published on August 27, 2026, in the international botanical journal Phytotaxa.
- The genus Ophiorrhiza is ecologically significant as a natural source of camptothecin, a key alkaloid used in anti-cancer medications.
A team of botanists led by Dr. Birina Bhuyan, Assistant Professor at Girijananda Chowdhury University (GCU), Azara, and independent researcher Selim Mehmud has discovered a new plant species, Ophiorrhiza assamensis, near Satargaon in the Rani area of Guwahati.
Formally described in the scientific journal Phytotaxa on August 27, 2026, the newly identified herb belongs to the Rubiaceae (coffee) family and grows roughly 20 to 45 centimeters tall with dense creamy-white flowers. Discovered in a moist, shaded roadside habitat during field surveys, the finding highlights Assam's rich biodiversity and underscores the critical need for local habitat conservation, as species of this genus are widely recognized for containing anti-cancer medicinal compounds.
