Rare endemic plant discovered in Shillong outskirts

Scientists have recorded Hypericum benghalense in Meghalaya for the first time, adding a new species to the state’s flora. Found near Shillong by Botanical Survey of India researchers, the rare flowering plant was earlier known only from Sikkim and West Bengal. The discovery highlights Meghalaya’s rich biodiversity and the conservation value of its high-altitude and urban fringe ecosystems.