A new species of tree, Garcinia kusumae, has been discovered in Assam’s Baksa district. Named after Kusum Devi, mother of botanist Jatindra Sarma, making it the fourth plant species named by him after family members.

About Garcinia kusumae

• Genus: Garcinia (Family: Clusiaceae)

• Local Name: Thoikora (in Assamese)

• Tree Type: Dioecious, evergreen

• Height: Up to 18 metres

• Flowering: February to April

• Fruiting: May to June

• Discovered at: Bamunbari, Baksa district, Assam

Significance of the Genus – Garcinia

• Total species worldwide: 414

• Key features:

• Pan-tropical distribution

• Rich floral diversity

• Found in lowland tropical rainforests

• High pharmacological potential (used in medicine, weight loss, etc.)

Garcinia in India

• Documented species: 33

• Varieties: 7

• In Assam: 12 species and 3 varieties

Botanical Contribution

• Jatindra Sarma, Chairman of Assam’s State Expert Appraisal Committee (MoEFCC), has now named:

• Amomum pratisthana – after daughter

• Syzygium nivae – after wife

• Garcinia sibeswarii – after father

• Garcinia kusumae – after mother (latest)

• A first for any Indian botanist to name four plant species after immediate family members.

Study and Publication

• Co-authored with Hussain A. Barbhuiya, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai

• Published in Feddes Repertorium – a peer-reviewed journal on plant taxonomy

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Ques: With reference to Garcinia kusumae, recently seen in news, consider the following statements:

1. It is a newly discovered species of deciduous tree found in Arunachal Pradesh.

2. It belongs to the family Clusiaceae.

3. The species was named after a family member of the researcher who discovered it.

Which of the statements is/are correct?

(A) 2 only

(B) 1 and 3 only

(C) 2 and 3 only

(D) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (C)