The flower with “glass-like” petals has been named Spiranthes hachijoensis, honoring the genus Spiranthes and Hachijo Island (Tokyo Prefecture), where it was discovered. The white-pink petals of this previously unknown orchid are so delicate and fragile that they seem to be woven from glass.
Sometimes unfamiliar plants hide in places where researchers least expect to find them: in parks, gardens, and even pots on balconies. This was the case this time as well. Thus, the discovery serves as an important reminder that unknown species often grow right under our noses, scientists noted in a report for the Journal of Plant Research.
Previously, three species of the Spiranthes genus had been identified in Japan: S. australis, S. sinensis, and S. hongkongensis.
Orchids of this genus are commonly referred to as “ladies’ tresses” due to their resemblance to wavy strands of hair. Spiranthes have a central stem around which tiny bell-shaped flowers are arranged. They can be white, pink, purple, or yellow, according to CNN.
Globally, there are about 50 species of Spiranthes. They thrive in Eurasia, Australia, and the Americas, typically found in regions with temperate or tropical climates. In Japan, Spiranthes have been known for centuries.
As Kenji Suecugu, a professor at Kobe University and the lead author of the study, explained, Spiranthes are the most well-known orchids in Japan, cultivated here for centuries. He added that flowers of this genus are mentioned in the oldest anthology of Japanese poetry, dated to 759 AD. Thus, the professor’s team was thrilled to discover a new species of Spiranthes during their field research.
The color of the Spiranthes hachijoensis orchids ranges from purplish-pink to white, with petal lengths measuring 3-4 mm.
Morphologically, the species is closely related to S. hongkongensis, but some differences and genetic analysis confirm its uniqueness. In addition to Tokyo Prefecture, the researchers found these “glass” flowers in several other regions of Japan.
Discovering new plant species in Japan is a rare event, as the country’s flora is meticulously documented and studied. Therefore, Professor Suecugu believes this news will spark interest in this unique flower, which is encountered far less frequently than other representatives of Spiranthes.
By the way, there are about 28,000 species of orchids growing on our planet.