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Newly Discovered: Previously Unknown Plant Species

Another one that was hiding in plain sight; I wonder if a giant frog goes with it in it's natural habitat?

A new species of giant water lily has been discovered - and it’s been hiding in plain sight for 177 years.

The huge plant had been in the archives of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and was growing in a number of aquatic collections but it was mistakenly identified as another species.

Now a detailed scientific study has revealed that it is new to science.

It also holds the record as the world's largest water lily, with leaves growing more than 3m (10ft) wide.

The plant has been called Victoria boliviana - named after Bolivia, where it grows in a single water basin in part of the Amazon river system.

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-61725827
 
A newly identified orchid species.

A new species of orchid with delicate, glass-like blooms has been discovered by Japanese scientists, who found the pink and white plant hiding in plain sight.

Despite its presence in Japan's parks and gardens, it took researchers at Kobe University a decade to confirm that the plant – dubbed the Spiranthes hachijoensis – was a previously unknown species.


"It was a surprise to discover a new species of Spiranthes, which is so common that you can see it in parks, gardens, and among potted plants," lead researcher Kenji Suetsugu told AFP Thursday.

Some of the samples were "from potted plants and gardens", including ones kept at a high school in Japan's central Gifu region, the phytology professor said.

Spiranthes hachijoensis in a field.


(Kenji Suetsugu)

"From its curious look and dainty blooms that resemble glasswork, this flower has long been loved by people," the university said in a press release.

The plant, with its spiraling blossoms, was even mentioned in Japan's oldest anthology of poems, the eighth-century Manyoshu. ...

https://www.sciencealert.com/newly-...orchid-looks-like-delicate-piece-of-glass-art
 
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