Researchers from Gauhati University have discovered a new plant species in Assam and named it Osbeckia zubeengargiana in honour of Zubeen Garg.

The discovery was made in the grasslands of Manas National Park by researchers Barnali Das, Prashob Pulpra, and Namita Nath during a floristic study conducted between 2021 and 2025. The plant belongs to the Melastomataceae family and is a perennial, erect shrub that can grow up to 3.5 metres tall, producing striking pink flowers.

Osbeckia zubeengargiana is closely related to Osbeckia rostrata but stands out due to differences in leaf structure, flower arrangement, hypanthium shape, and seed size. The species is mostly found in grassland ecosystems alongside other plants such as Chrysopogon zizanioides, Maesa indica, Bombax ceiba, and Dillenia pentagyna, flowering and fruiting between mid-September and January.