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Arisaema siahaense is a striking new species of cobra lily formally described in 2026 by botanists Rabishankar Sengupta and Sudhansu Sekhar Dash of the Botanical Survey of India. It was discovered in the Siaha District of Mizoram, within the Indo–Burma biodiversity hotspot, during floristic expeditions between 2023 and 2025.
Key Features
- Family: Araceae
- Section: Fimbriata
- Growth Habit: Evergreen, dioecious herb up to 1.08 m tall
- Leaf: Solitary, trifoliate leaf emerging from a subglobose tuber
- Unique Trait: A pendulous spadix appendage (15–21 cm long) with bristle-like projections, giving it a whip-like appearance
- Flower Structure: Hooded spathe resembling a cobra’s hood, typical of cobra lilies
Habitat
- Found in moist, rocky slopes near streams around Tlangpui peak in southern Mizoram.
- Thrives in the misty, rugged terrain of the Indo–Burma biodiversity hotspot, an area known for high endemism and ecological richness.
Significance
- Adds to India’s rich botanical diversity, especially in the Northeast.
- Highlights the importance of continued floristic surveys in biodiversity hotspots.
- Its unusual whip-like floral structure makes it a distinctive addition to the genus Arisaema.
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