Question
Consider the following statements about Rhynchostylis retusa (Foxtail orchid):
1
It is an epiphytic orchid.
2
The species is endemic to North-east India.
3
It is the State flower of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
A1 only
B1 and 3
C2 and 3
D3 only
⚠️ The UPSC Trap — Statement 2: “Endemic to North-east India”
Rhynchostylis retusa is most commonly associated with Northeast India (especially Assam where it is the iconic Kopou Phul), but it is NOT endemic to NE India. It has a wide distribution across South and Southeast Asia — Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India.
Within India alone, it is found in: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Odisha, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttarakhand, West Bengal — in addition to all NE states. Endemic means found ONLY in a specific place. This species is found across 15+ Indian states AND multiple Southeast Asian countries. It cannot be endemic to NE India.
Within India alone, it is found in: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Odisha, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttarakhand, West Bengal — in addition to all NE states. Endemic means found ONLY in a specific place. This species is found across 15+ Indian states AND multiple Southeast Asian countries. It cannot be endemic to NE India.
Each Statement — Verified Against Scientific Sources
1
“It is an epiphytic orchid” — TRUE
Confirmed by a peer-reviewed journal: “It is an epiphytic orchid 8–21 cm long; roots are copiously spreading.” (Marndi et al. 2024, ResearchGate)
It is an epiphytic orchid
✓ Correct
What is an epiphyte? An epiphyte is a plant that grows on another plant (tree trunk, branch) for physical support — without deriving nutrients from the host (not parasitic). The host plant simply provides a surface to grow on.
Rhynchostylis retusa as epiphyte:
• It is a monopodial epiphyte — grows from a single, upright stem that elongates from the apex
• Its roots spread widely to grip tree bark and absorb moisture and nutrients from air, rain, and organic debris
• It produces long pendant racemes (hanging flower clusters) of more than 100 pink-spotted white flowers
• Classified in family Orchidaceae, tribe Vandeae — a predominantly epiphytic group
✓ Confirmed — epiphytic orchid
Monopodial epiphyte · Long pendant flower raceme (100+ flowers) · Grows on tree trunks/branches · Not endemic — found widely
2
“The species is endemic to North-east India” — FALSE
Definition of endemic: A species is endemic to a region only if it is found exclusively in that region and nowhere else on Earth.
“Endemic to North-east India”
✗ Wrong — widespread species across South & SE Asia
Why Rhynchostylis retusa is NOT endemic to NE India:
• International range: Native to Malaya, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India — clearly not restricted to NE India
• Indian range beyond NE: Found in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Odisha, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttarakhand, West Bengal — at least 15 additional Indian states
• In Andhra Pradesh it is even called by the Telugu name Chintaranamu
The confusion: Rhynchostylis retusa is most abundant and culturally prominent in NE India (Assam’s Kopou Phul) — which makes students think it’s endemic to NE India. Abundance ≠ endemism.
✗ Not endemic — found in SE Asia + 15+ Indian states
Countries: Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India. Indian states: NE states + Andaman, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal etc. Endemic = exclusive. This species is the opposite.
3
“It is the State flower of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam” — TRUE
Confirmed by Wikipedia (List of Indian state flowers) and multiple official sources: “Rhynchostylis retusa is recognized as the state flower of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in India.”
State flower of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam
✓ Correct
Assam — Kopou Phul:
• Known as Kopou Phul (কপৌ ফুল) in Assamese
• Central to the Rongali Bihu festival — young women weave Kopou Phul sprays into their hair during the Bihu dance
• A powerful symbol of Assamese cultural identity and the arrival of spring
• Assam officially included it in the list of state symbols
Arunachal Pradesh:
• Also officially recognised as the state flower of Arunachal Pradesh
• Confirmed by Arunachal DIPR “About State” page
Note: Some older sources list only Assam as its state — but both states officially recognise it. UPSC’s question confirms both.
✓ Confirmed — state flower of both
Assam: Kopou Phul · Rongali Bihu · official state symbol · Arunachal Pradesh: state flower (DIPR confirmed)
Rhynchostylis retusa — Complete Fact Sheet for UPSC
| Parameter | Detail |
| Scientific name | Rhynchostylis retusa (L.) Blume · Family: Orchidaceae · Tribe: Vandeae · Subfamily: Epidendroideae |
| Common names | Foxtail Orchid (English) · Kopou Phul (Assamese) · Draupadi Pushpa (Hindi) · Chintaranamu (Telugu) · Bhangru (HP) |
| Growth habit | Epiphytic — monopodial epiphyte · Grows on tree trunks/branches · Roots spread to absorb moisture from air |
| Flower | Pendant raceme with 100+ pink-spotted white flowers · Blooms May–June · Faintly scented |
| Distribution | South + Southeast Asia: India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore · NOT endemic to NE India · Found in 15+ Indian states beyond NE |
| State flower | Arunachal Pradesh · Assam · Also provincial flower of Uva Province, Sri Lanka |
| Assam cultural role | Kopou Phul = central to Rongali Bihu · Women wear it in hair during Bihu dance · Symbol of spring and Assamese identity |
| Conservation | CITES Category II (declining wild population due to bio-piracy) · Threatened in India despite wide distribution |
| Medicinal uses | Treats wounds, cuts, bruises, skin diseases, rheumatism, eye problems, fractures, gastric problems |
| Endemic? NO | Found in India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka. Within India: found in NE, South India, West India, Central India, Andaman. Cannot be endemic to NE India. |
Memory Trick — Never Forget This
🧠 Remember It This Way
Statement 2 trap — Abundant ≠ Endemic: Foxtail orchid is most famous in NE India (Assam Bihu), but abundance in a region is NOT the same as being endemic to it. An endemic species is found ONLY in one place. Foxtail orchid grows from Sri Lanka to Singapore — it could not be less endemic to NE India.
Kopou Phul = Bihu = Assam: Kopou Phul (Foxtail orchid) is inseparable from Rongali Bihu (Assamese New Year / spring festival). Bihu dancers wear it in their hair. This cultural connection makes it the most recognisable state flower in NE India.
Two state flowers, one species: The Foxtail orchid (Rhynchostylis retusa) is a rare case of the same species being the official state flower of two Indian states — Assam AND Arunachal Pradesh. Remember both.
Epiphytic = grows on trees (not soil): Epiphyte ≠ parasite. The orchid attaches to tree bark for support but does not harm the tree. Its wide-spreading roots absorb moisture from air. Epi-phyte = “upon-plant” — Greek origin. All members of tribe Vandeae are typically epiphytic.
