Japanese scientists have discovered a new species of orchid with soft pink and white flowers that look like glass.
Despite its presence in parks and gardens across Japan, it took researchers from the University of Kobe 10 years to confirm that this plant — “Spiranthes hachijoensis,” sometimes called “lady’s braids” because of its resemblance to locks of hair — was a previously unknown species .
“It was a surprise to discover a new type of lady curls that is so common that it can be seen in parks, gardens and among potted plants,” lead researcher Kenji Suetsugu told AFP on Thursday about the study.
Photo Kenji Suetsugu / AFP
Some of the samples came from “potted plants and gardens,” including those kept at a high school in central Gifu, Japan, the plant science professor said.
“With its curious appearance and delicate flowers that look like glass objects, this flower has long been cherished,” the University of Kobe said in a press release.
The plant with its spiral-shaped flowers was even mentioned in Japan’s oldest collection of poems, the “Manyoshu”, from the 8th century.
The discovery was announced in the Journal of Plant Research last week, and the orchid was named “Spiranthes hachijoensis” because many specimens were found on Hachijojima Island in Tokyo.