Category

Botany

New Tree Species of Lauraceae Family Found

By | Botany, News

The genus Endiandra of the Lauraceae family has approximately 100 species and its diversity is strongly centered in south-eastern Malaysia and Australia. In China, there are only three recognized Endiandra species (two endemic) and they are distributed in Yunnan, Guangxi, Hainan and Taiwan.

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A new orchid species Spiranthes hachijoensis with beautiful glasswork-like flowers found in a private garden. Flower. Credit: Masayuki Ishibashi

An elegant new orchid hiding in plain sight

By | Botany, News, Plant Science

It is extremely rare for a new plant species to be discovered in Japan, a nation where flora has been extensively studied and documented. Nevertheless, recently recently a stunning new species of orchid whose rosy pink petals bear a striking resemblance to glasswork has been uncovered. Since it was initially spotted near Hachijo Island in Tokyo Prefecture, the new species has been given the name Spiranthes hachijoensis.

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Study of bryophytes reveals evolution of genetic pathways governing plant branching

By | Botany, News

Non-vascular bryophytes live in colonies that cover the ground and resemble tiny forests. In a real forest, plants compete for light in different layers of the canopy. If a plant does not receive enough sunlight, it stops lateral branching and instead grows vertically to reach the sunlight. Researchers discovered that the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, whose plant body is fundamentally different from those of vascular plants, also adapts its architecture in response to shade.

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