A new plant species, Pedicularis rajeshiana, a type of Lousewort, has been identified in the western Himalayas of India, specifically in the high-altitude Rohtang Pass in May 2025. This discovery was made during a plant survey under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF&CC) and the Botanical Survey of India, as part of the "Flora of India" project.
Classified under the family Orobanchaceae, this hemiparasitic plant exhibits distinct floral characteristics and pollen structure, setting it apart from other species in the Pedicularis genus. The plant was discovered at an altitude of 4,390 meters (about 14,400 feet) in the Rohtang Pass, a rugged and ecologically rich area in Himachal Pradesh.
Key Features
Pedicularis rajeshiana is distinguished by its deeply-cut lower lip (labium) of the flower and the unique positioning of its stamens at three different levels inside the flower. Detailed lab analysis was carried out on various plant parts, including pollen grains, to confirm its uniqueness. Notably, during the fieldwork, two flowers were found with a twin "galea"— a hood-like part of the flower — a trait never observed before in this genus.
Ace scientist Arti Garg, formerly the head of the Botanical Survey of India in Prayagraj, has named the species after her husband, Rajesh. The discovery has been officially documented in the journal Phytotaxa.
This discovery highlights the ecological significance of high-altitude Himalayan ecosystems and the need for conservation efforts to protect this rare and possibly endangered species. India is home to 83 known species of Pedicularis, with 36 species found in the western Himalayas alone.