Garcinia kusumae

Assam has recently yielded a new-to-science tree species, adding to the rich biodiversity of the region. Belonging to the genus Garcinia, commonly known as thoikora in Assamese, the newly identified species has been named Garcinia kusumae.

The species was named in honor of Kusum Devi, the late mother of Jatindra Sarma. Sarma is one of the authors of the study documenting the discovery and currently serves as the Chairman of Assam’s State Expert Appraisal Committee, appointed by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

This marks the fourth instance of Mr. Sarma naming a botanical discovery after a family member, a unique achievement for an Indian botanist-researcher. His previous discoveries include:

• Amomum pratisthana (after his daughter)
• Syzygium nivae (after his wife)
• Garcinia sibeswarii (after his father)

About the Garcinia Genus

• Garcinia is the largest genus within the family Clusiaceae, encompassing a total of 414 species of shrubs and trees. These species are distributed across tropical regions globally, with major centers of diversity found in Africa, Australasia, and Southeast Asia.
• The genus is notable for its diverse flora, its frequent presence in lowland tropical rainforests, and its significant pharmacological potential.
• In India, 33 species and seven varieties of Garcinia have been documented. Assam alone is home to a substantial number, with 12 species and three varieties of this genus.

(Source: TH)