Assam's Dibru-Saikhowa National Park unveils new orchid species

A new species of orchid, named Crepidium assamicum, has been discovered in Assam's Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, adding a new chapter to the global biodiversity of orchids. 

This remarkable find was made by orchid experts Khyanjeet Gogoi and Dr. Jintu Sharma, following over a decade of research and field studies that began in 2008-2009. 

The species was officially recognized after being submitted to Fedes Reporter, an internationally reputed botanical journal.

Crepidium assamicum stands out due to its unique characteristics within the Cripidium genus, including a larger flower cover and a distinct blooming period from July to August. Unlike most other orchids, it thrives in open grasslands rather than dense forests and has minimal fragrance.

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This discovery adds to Assam's rich orchid biodiversity, with the region already hosting 414 species of orchids between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It represents a significant contribution to both national and global conservation efforts. 

Khyanjeet Gogoi, one of the key researchers, has also created an orchid park at his residence, attracting visitors from around the world. His work has earned him the Assam Government’s "Paribha Mitra" award.

This species is confined to grow in open grassland near river bank of Dibru‐Soikhowa, Dibrugarh district of Assam, in a huge population comprising 500–600 individuals. The threat status of this new species is provisionally assessed here as “Threatened” following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria version 16 (2024).

The discovery of Cripidium Asamika has generated excitement among conservationists and the public, offering hope for continued biodiversity preservation in Assam and the Northeast region.