Arisaema siahaense

Arisaema siahaense Latest News

Researchers recently discovered a new species of Cobra Lily hidden within the rugged, misty mountains of Northeast India.

About Arisaema siahaense

• It is a new species of Cobra Lily.
• It was discovered in the Siaha District of Mizoram.
• It is an evergreen herb that can grow up to 1.08 meters (about 3.5 feet) tall. 
• It belongs to a group of plants commonly known as Cobra Lilies because their flowering structure (the spathe) resembles a cobra’s hood. 
• What makes this specific species unique is its spadix appendix, a long, slender growth that emerges from the flower. 
• In this new species, the appendix is exceptionally long, reaching up to 21 centimetres, and is covered in brownish-green, hair-like bristles. 
• Unlike its closest relatives found in China and Southeast Asia, this plant grows from a rounded tuber rather than a creeping rootstock and features leaves divided into exactly three segments.
• The plant’s name, siahaense, is a tribute to the Siaha District where it was first found. 
• Specifically, the naming recognises the commitment of local communities, such as the Kompa family, who have worked tirelessly to preserve the biodiversity of their ancestral lands.
• Although it is currently classified as Data Deficient by international standards, the scientists observed that its habitat is under pressure from road construction, grazing animals like goats and mithuns, and the spread of invasive weeds.

Source: RM

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