CSIR-IHBT Discovers New Sunflower Family Species 'Doronicum Sanctum' in Arunachal Pradesh

Researchers at the CSIR–Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur discovered a new sunflower-family species, Doronicum sanctum, in Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh, at about 4,000 metres altitude. It is the first record of the genus Doronicum in Northeast India — earlier Indian records were confined to the western Himalaya. The species, from the group commonly called leopard's bane, was named *sanctum* because its type locality lies near the Chumi Gyatse Holy Waterfalls, a site of deep local spiritual significance. It has hairy ray cypselae, a short-lived feathery pappus, dilated flower stalks and bright yellow flowers with heart-shaped leaves. Findings were published by Springer Nature.