Ghost orchid reappears in the UK 15 years after being declared extinct

Recently, in an undisclosed woodland in the UK, a ghost orchid that was declared extinct in 2009 surprisingly reappeared after 15 years.

The ghost orchid, scientifically known as Dendrophylax lindenii, is an epiphytic orchid of the genus Dendrophylax in the Orchidaceae family. It is named so because when it blooms, it is like a ghost floating in mid-air. Its flowers are ivory white. The unique thing about it is that it has an underground way of living and can grow without sunlight. Unlike most wild plants, the ghost orchid has no leaves and no chlorophyll and cannot perform photosynthesis. It usually only appears on the forest floor under the most suitable conditions for blooming, but since it will be quickly eaten by slugs or deer in the forest, it can only survive for a few hours.

The discoverer of this ghost orchid is dentist Bate. Its exact location is strictly confidential to prevent potential harm to this rare species. Bate's discovery has been certified by the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. This is one of the few sightings of the ghost orchid blooming since records began in the UK in 1854.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Endangered Species lists the ghost orchid as "critically endangered." The reappearance of the ghost orchid not only excites botanists and nature lovers but also highlights the urgency and importance of conservation work. Its appearance may mean that there may be more undiscovered surprises deep in the British woodlands. At the same time, it also provides a valuable opportunity for related research, triggering people's further attention and thinking about ecological environment protection and species diversity.