Guwahati, July 1 -- A team of forest officials from Arunachal Pradesh's Seppa Forest Division has discovered a new species of flowering plant, Begonia nyishiorum, in the high-altitude forests of East Kameng district.

The finding, recently published in the international journal Novon: A Journal for Botanical Nomenclature on June 23, adds to the growing list of rare and endemic flora in the Eastern Himalayan region.

Named in honour of the Nyishi tribe-the largest ethnic group in Arunachal Pradesh-the plant is distinguished by its unique crimson-fringed petioles, a feature not observed in any other Asian Begonia species, according to the state forest department.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu hailed the discovery as a "proud moment" for the s...