New plant species discovered in Assam, may aid cancer drugs

Scientists have found a new plant species, Ophiorrhiza assamensis, near Satargaon Road in Assam's Kamrup Metropolitan district. Botanists Birina Bhuyan and Selim Mehmud documented the perennial herb, which belongs to the coffee family and produces camptothecin, a compound used in cancer drugs. Ophiorrhiza assamensis is a perennial herb with large, ribbed leaves and clusters of small white flowers.