World’s Smallest Orchid Discovered (By Accident)
By Rachel • Dec 3rd, 2009 • Category: Science
by Rachel Kaufman
Published in National Geographic News
2009-12-03
The world’s smallest known orchid (pictured)—just over 2 millimeters (0.08 inch) across and nearly see-through—has been discovered nestled in the roots of another flower in Ecuador, scientists announced this week.
Lou Jost, an ecologist with the EcoMinga plant-conservation foundation, has studied the plants of the South American country’s mountainous forests for 15 years.
Earlier this year he’d collected an orchid of a larger species to study in his greenhouse. “Several months later I saw this tiny plant,” he said.
Read the rest at News.NationalGeographic.com
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Rachel is a freelance writer and editor based in Washington, DC.
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