Environment News

Rare Blueberry Rediscovered

May 29 , 2026 14 hrs 0 min 82 0

A rare blueberry relative named Vaccinium piliferum was rediscovered in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh after 188 years.
The plant was first collected in 1836 from the Mishmi Hills and later recorded in 1850 from the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya.
It belongs to the Ericaceae family and is a climbing shrub related to wild blueberry plants.
Researchers found only 16 plants in a 2 square kilometre area near the Noa-Dihing River in Vijoynagar, Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh.
The species is listed as “Endangered” by the IUCN.