Nature & Environment
Strange Orchid Species Discovered In Deciduous Mexican Forests
Rosanna Singh
First Posted: Jan 14, 2016 11:59 AM EST
A team of scientists on Mexico's Pacific slope of Oaxaca have stumbled upon a new, exotic orchid species that grows on rocks in deciduous forests, according to a study. The newly discovered orchid has been 'sheltered' under the name of a close relative. The researchers believe that the plant should have a species of its own due to its distinctive colors and features.
The researchers were captivated by the orchid's colors and forms, thus they called it 'epithet inopinatus' which means "unexpected." According to the researchers, the orchid's most distinctive feature is its yellow labellum patterned with crimson to reddish brown lines.
The new orchid plant is about 30 to 42 cm in height and its flowers reach between 80 and 90 cm. Each of its branches produces 3 to 8 flowers that bloom between March and July. This orchid has been found in just a few locations on the Oaxaca slope in Mexico, which categorizes the species as rare. The researchers compared similarities of the newly found orchid species to some of its close modern relatives and they also discussed the plant's taxonomic placement.
The findings of this study were published PhytoKeys.
Related Articles
Fish Stick Together Through Communication To Stay Safe
Marine Creatures Migrate By Moon Light During Arctic Winter
For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).
See Now:
NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone
Tagsnature, Environment, Mexico, Orchid, orchid species, Plants, Species, Forest, Flower, Flowers, Flowering Plants, orchids ©2024 ScienceWorldReport.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The window to the world of science news.
More on SCIENCEwr
First Posted: Jan 14, 2016 11:59 AM EST
A team of scientists on Mexico's Pacific slope of Oaxaca have stumbled upon a new, exotic orchid species that grows on rocks in deciduous forests, according to a study. The newly discovered orchid has been 'sheltered' under the name of a close relative. The researchers believe that the plant should have a species of its own due to its distinctive colors and features.
The researchers were captivated by the orchid's colors and forms, thus they called it 'epithet inopinatus' which means "unexpected." According to the researchers, the orchid's most distinctive feature is its yellow labellum patterned with crimson to reddish brown lines.
The new orchid plant is about 30 to 42 cm in height and its flowers reach between 80 and 90 cm. Each of its branches produces 3 to 8 flowers that bloom between March and July. This orchid has been found in just a few locations on the Oaxaca slope in Mexico, which categorizes the species as rare. The researchers compared similarities of the newly found orchid species to some of its close modern relatives and they also discussed the plant's taxonomic placement.
The findings of this study were published PhytoKeys.
Related Articles
Fish Stick Together Through Communication To Stay Safe
Marine Creatures Migrate By Moon Light During Arctic Winter
For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone