📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Original: Samudra Bikash Hazarika
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Science
Manipur microbiologist discovers new fungus in rare Sikkim medicinal plant
✍️ India Today NE
🗓 29 Oct 2026, 09:43 PM
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A microbiologist from Manipur has identified a previously unknown fungal species living on a rare medicinal plant native to Sikkim, marking a notable addition to India's biodiversity records.
A scientist specializing in microbiology from Manipur has announced the discovery of a new fungal species that inhabits a rare medicinal plant found in the hills of Sikkim. The finding was reported in a recent study released by the research team, which highlighted the unique ecological relationship between the fungus and its host plant.
The plant, known for its therapeutic properties in traditional Sikkimese medicine, is considered scarce due to limited natural distribution and increasing habitat pressures. Researchers collected samples during a field survey in the region's alpine meadows, where the fungus was observed forming distinct mycelial structures on the plant's leaves.
Laboratory analysis confirmed that the fungal organism does not match any previously catalogued species in national or international databases, suggesting it is a novel addition to the fungal taxonomy of the Indian subcontinent. Scientists say the discovery could open new avenues for studying plant‑microbe interactions and potential pharmacological applications.
The team plans to conduct further genetic sequencing and ecological assessments to understand the fungus's role in the plant's health and its broader environmental significance. The discovery underscores the importance of preserving Sikkim's biodiversity hotspots, which continue to yield previously unknown biological resources.
The plant, known for its therapeutic properties in traditional Sikkimese medicine, is considered scarce due to limited natural distribution and increasing habitat pressures. Researchers collected samples during a field survey in the region's alpine meadows, where the fungus was observed forming distinct mycelial structures on the plant's leaves.
Laboratory analysis confirmed that the fungal organism does not match any previously catalogued species in national or international databases, suggesting it is a novel addition to the fungal taxonomy of the Indian subcontinent. Scientists say the discovery could open new avenues for studying plant‑microbe interactions and potential pharmacological applications.
The team plans to conduct further genetic sequencing and ecological assessments to understand the fungus's role in the plant's health and its broader environmental significance. The discovery underscores the importance of preserving Sikkim's biodiversity hotspots, which continue to yield previously unknown biological resources.