In a world where endangered plants are becoming extinct and rare plants are becoming threatened, refreshing news was announced that a new species of orchid was discovered in the United States at Yosemite National Park. The plant will be called Yosemite Bog Orchid (Platanthera yosemitensis) and appears to only exist within the California National Park. The plant can be confirmed by its tiny yellow flowers and distinct odor which resembles stinky feet or strong cheese.
The plant was first collected in 1923 and was thought to be another species, a southern Rockies Bog Orchid. Its location was discovered again in Yosemite in 1993 at which time botanists had a gut feeling that this was a distinct species. Taxonomists soon began searching for and mapping other locations where this orchid was encountered in Yosemite. The case was then re-opened, as if it were a crime mystery, in 2003. The country’s leading botanists confirmed it after much examination. “What a delight to find that, in the 21st century, such gems await disovery, or, in this case, re-discovery.”said Alison Colwell, a USGS botanist. “Doubtless more such finds await us.”
Well said, Alison. Lets hope the Midwest can get its own gem of discovery someday.
Read the USGS press release here http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom
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