Hoya Nagaensis

Why in News?

Recently, a new plant species previously unknown to science has been recorded from Nagaland, and its findings have been published in the international journal Kew Bulletin.

• The new plant belongs to the milkweed group of plants, which are known for their milky sap.
• Genus – Hoya, known as waxflowers for their attractive appearance and ornamental value.
  • Growth Habitat – Mostly climbing or hanging vines growing on trees or rocks, with twining stems and milky sap.
  • Leaves & Flowers – Have thick, leathery or fleshy leaves and waxy flowers that grow in clusters and reappear each year.
• Habitat & Distribution – High-altitude temperate forests under community protection of Nagaland.
• It is known only from a single location, leading to extremely restricted distribution.
• Key Characteristics – It shows close morphological affinity with Hoya thomsonii and Hoya coronaria.
  • Appearance – Distinctive leaf shapes.
  • Flowers – Unique floral features distinguishing it from other Hoya species.
• Conservation Status –
  • IUCN Red List – Critically Endangered (provisional classification)
• Threats – Shifting cultivation and forest disturbance.
• Ecological Significance – Highlights the importance of community-protected forests of Nagaland as a vital refuge for rare and endemic plants.
• It underscores the Eastern Himalaya as a reservoir of undiscovered plant diversity.

References

1. TH | Hoya Nagaensis
2. Nagaland Tribune | Hoya Nagaensis