Six months after the tragic death of legendary Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, his enduring love for nature has been immortalised in science with the naming of a newly discovered plant species in his honour, writes The Print.
Researchers have named the new species Osbeckia zubeengargiana, recognising the late musician’s lifelong passion for the environment and his advocacy for tree planting.
The species, belonging to the Melastomataceae family, was discovered in Assam by researchers Barnali Das, Dr Namita Nath, and Prashob Pulpra.
Their findings were published on 13 March 2026, in the peer-reviewed botanical journal Phytotaxa.
According to the research paper, the new species is closely related to Osbeckia rostrata but differs in several key characteristics, including its growth habit, leaf structure, bract shape, reproductive features and seed size.
The genus Osbeckia comprises 43 known species, most of which are native to Southeast Asia.
Research scholar Barnali Das first encountered the plant during fieldwork in Manas National Park in 2022.
It took the research team nearly three years of detailed study to confirm that it was an entirely new species.
Speaking to ThePrint, Das explained that the plant’s distinctive reproductive structure helped distinguish it from all other Indian members of the Osbeckia genus.
“We found bristle-like hair at the base of the style, which is absent in other Indian Osbeckia species.
Differences in reproductive characteristics often indicate a new species,” she said.
The plant flowers and bears fruit between mid-September and January and primarily grows in the grasslands of the Bhutan foothills.
Researchers say its medicinal properties have yet to be studied, and only a limited number of samples were collected to avoid disturbing wild populations.
Das said naming the species after Zubeen Garg was a deeply personal decision, inspired not only by his music but also by his lifelong commitment to protecting nature.
“As we say in Assam, ‘Sukhot o Zubeen, dukhot o Zubeen’ (Zubeen is with us in happiness and in sorrow),” she said.
She added that many of Garg’s songs referenced native trees such as Nahor, Togor and Eucalyptus, while the singer frequently encouraged people to plant trees and care for the environment.
Under the rules of scientific naming, while the genus name remains fixed, the species name can honour a person, place or defining characteristic.
By naming the species Osbeckia zubeengargiana, the researchers hope to celebrate both Garg’s musical legacy and his lasting contribution to environmental awareness.
The tribute ensures that the late singer’s name will live on not only in the hearts of his fans but also in the scientific record as part of Assam’s rich natural heritage.
