New record of Sapria himalayana Griff. (Rafflesiaceae) from Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh, India

The eastern Himalayan region is renowned for its exceptional and abundant floral and faunal biodiversity, harbouring numerous endemic plant species. Among them, Sapria himalayana Griffith, an endoparasitic, rare, and endangered plant, was first discovered in the Mishmi Hills of Arunachal Pradesh in 1836. Despite its discovery nearly two centuries ago, the species remains poorly understood. While some recent studies have begun to explore the genetics and demography of this species, there is still a significant knowledge gap in the understanding of the life history patterns of this parasitic plant. Here, a new record has been added to the distribution of Sapria himalayana from Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh. Around 21 flowers were scattered on the forest floor, spanning various developmental stages from buds to flower maturation, including desiccated flowers. The bud emerges from the roots of Tetrastigma sp. (host plant). One of the primary challenges in conducting extensive research on the intriguing Himalayan Sapria is its infrequent and unpredictable flowering patterns. Therefore, understanding these aspects (flowering phenology and enigmatic traits) is crucial for further research and preserving this rare species and its hosts in the face of ongoing habitat loss. Conducting an annual plant survey in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary can help identify patterns to unravel these mysteries.