New Garcinia Species Discovered in Assam Named in Honour of Botanist’s Mother

A new tree species belonging to the Garcinia genus, Garcinia kusumae, has been discovered in Bamunbari in Baksa district of Assam, enriching the state’s already diverse botanical landscape. The discovery was made by Jatindra Sarma, a renowned botanist and Chairman of the Assam State Expert Appraisal Committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The species has been named in memory of Sarma’s late mother, Kusum Devi, as a heartfelt tribute to her sacrifices and support for his education.

The scientific findings regarding Garcinia kusumae have been published in the latest edition of Feddes Repertorium, a peer-reviewed journal that focuses on plant taxonomy and geobotany. The publication is co-authored by Hussain A Barbhuiya, a researcher from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai.

This discovery is particularly significant because it marks the fourth plant species that Sarma has named after members of his immediate family. Previous species include Amomum pratisthana (named after his daughter), Syzygium nivae (his wife), and Garcinia sibeswarii (his father). This feat makes Sarma the first Indian botanist to name four species in honor of close family members.

The Garcinia genus, belonging to the Clusiaceae family, is one of the largest in its group, consisting of over 400 species worldwide, primarily in the tropical regions of Africa, Australasia, and Southeast Asia. In India, 33 species and seven varieties of Garcinia are documented, of which Assam accounts for 12 species and three varieties, highlighting the region’s ecological significance.

Locally known as “thoikora,” the tree was identified during a field survey conducted by Sarma in April. The tree displayed distinct morphological traits that prompted further scientific study. Following standard herbarium procedures, researchers collected and preserved samples to confirm the tree’s uniqueness. Garcinia kusumae is a dioecious evergreen species that can grow up to 18 meters in height. It typically flowers between February and April, and the fruits ripen from May to June.

While the tree resembles species like Garcinia assamica, Garcinia cowa, and Garcinia succifolia, it is set apart by specific features, including having up to 15 staminate flowers per fascicle and berries with blackish resinous exudations.

Beyond its botanical uniqueness, the fruit of Garcinia kusumae holds cultural and medicinal value for local communities. The dried pulp is commonly used to prepare a cooling sherbet mixed with salt and sugar, which is widely consumed during hot weather to prevent heatstroke and quench thirst. Additionally, the fruit is incorporated into fish curries and is known for its traditional healing properties, especially for diabetes and dysentery. The slightly sour and sweet aril of the seed is eaten raw, typically paired with salt, chillies, and mustard oil, making it a flavorful and culturally significant food item.

This discovery not only adds a new species to India's rich plant biodiversity but also strengthens the link between science and personal heritage, emphasizing the cultural and ecological interconnectedness of the region.