Despite their reputation for being easily destroyed by ambitious plant parents, orchids can be found all over the planet.There are more than that 25,000 known species of these plants, and more are discovered every year. An international team of scientists has discovered a new species of orchid in Madagascar that has spectacular nectar lobes and is associated with Charles Darwin. sorenangis impradicta is explained in The study was published March 11 in the journal current biology.
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Madagascar is known for its long-tubed flowers that are pollinated by long-tongued hawkmoths. The most famous orchid species on this island are: Angrecum sesquipedale, also called Darwin’s orchid.with a famous naturalist orchid lover There was a theory that this flower was pollinated by a moth, which was unknown at the time. Some 41 years after this prediction, scientists officially described the existence of the great hawkmoth, proving Darwin correct.
The newly discovered species appropriately named sorenangis impradicta. In Latin, Prohibited matter This means “unpredicted” and is a nod to Darwin’s ultimately correct prediction that certain moths are the main pollinators of orchids. The newly discovered orchid has nectar spines about 13 inches long, even though its petals are less than an inch long.these tubular projections from plant petals They produce and hold nectar for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and moths. sorenangis impradicta It has the third longest spur ever recorded by scientists.
“The contrast between the tiny 2 centimeter (0.7 inch) flowers and the very long nectar tube is surprising,” says study co-author João Farmignon, a botanist at the University of Coimbra’s Botanical Garden. said in a statement.
This species, with its dainty white petals and yellowish stems, was first collected by Missouri Botanical Garden field botanist Patrice Antillahimena during a basic environmental impact study of a mine site in east-central Madagascar. A new location for these orchids was discovered about 10 years later by Brigitte Lamandin-Bissois and his Ph.D. Simon Verlinde, student at the New York Botanical Garden.
it belongs to Angrecoidran Group Also known as “Darwin’s Pollination Guild”. It is currently threatened by mining activities and possibly poaching for the orchid trade. The authors hope their discovery will spur conservation efforts.
“The discovery of a new orchid species is always exciting, but it only happens once in a scientist’s career that they discover such an amazing and charismatic species,” said study co-author Tariq, a botanist at the Missouri Botanical Garden.・Mr. Stebert says. said in a statement. “We sincerely hope that this critically endangered species will draw attention to and help support the urgent crisis affecting Madagascar’s biodiversity.” [Missouri Botanical] We have a garden program. ”
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between Sorenangis impradicta The discovery and its formal scientific description allowed the research team to save some of its seeds and cultivate them at an undisclosed location to help protect the plant.
“When you release a great new species like this, you have to take a precautionary approach,” Stevart said. “Wild populations must be protected and monitored, and detailed information about their exact coordinates must be kept out of the public domain. So don’t ask us to reveal where we found them anywhere in Madagascar. Please.”