New Botanical Discovery: Dicliptera pakhalica Identified in India's Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary

Experts from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have officially announced the identification of a previously unknown flowering plant species, which has been formally designated as Dicliptera pakhalica. This significant botanical find was documented within the lush boundaries of the Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Mahabubabad district of Telangana, India. The formal scientific description and classification of this new taxon were released to the global academic community through the international journal Brittonia on January 29, marking a notable addition to the world's documented flora.

The discovery was the result of a collaborative effort by a dedicated research team, which included BSI scientist L. Rasingam, botanist P. Harikrishna, research scholar A. Parthiban, and forest officer V. Chandra Sekhara Rao. During their extensive field explorations, the team located the plant thriving in specific micro-habitats, particularly along the moist banks of streams and on rugged, rocky surfaces near waterfalls within the sanctuary's protected area. These specific environmental conditions appear to provide the ideal niche for this newly identified member of the plant kingdom.

This new species belongs to the Dicliptera genus, a member of the Acanthaceae family that encompasses more than 220 species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Within India, the genus is represented by 29 distinct taxa, and the addition of Dicliptera pakhalica marks a notable milestone for the state of Telangana. This discovery further highlights the region's rich botanical diversity and its ongoing contribution to the study of indigenous flora, reinforcing the importance of local conservation efforts.

While Dicliptera pakhalica shares some morphological similarities with Dicliptera parvibracteata—a species endemic to the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha—rigorous comparative analysis revealed several defining characteristics that justify its status as a separate species. Scientists noted that the new species features appressed-deflexed pubescence on its stems and distinctly non-keeled bracts. Furthermore, it lacks the glandular hairs typically found on the floral parts and fruits of its closest relatives. Other distinguishing features include an obovate capsule and seeds with an echinate, or spiny, texture. In contrast, D. parvibracteata is characterized by keeled bracts with glandular hairs and tuberculate seeds.

The Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, the site of this discovery, is a vital part of the Deccan Peninsular Biogeographic Zone and is renowned for its scenic reservoir and diverse ecosystems. This ecological treasure, alongside the nearby Kinnerasani and Ramappa lakes, has been under consideration for prestigious Ramsar site status in Telangana due to its international importance. The identification of Dicliptera pakhalica underscores the critical importance of sustained floristic surveys in this region, which exhibits high levels of endemism and species richness essential for India's broader biodiversity conservation and environmental protection strategies.