Tag: botany

Pensoft Celebrates International Tea Day with Fascinating Discoveries in Camellia

Camellia species are famous for their tea properties, providing the leaf buds and young branches used to manufacture black, green, and oolong tea.

At Pensoft Publishers, we are proud to support the open-access dissemination of botanical knowledge through our journal PhytoKeys. On International Tea Day, we invite you to spill the tea on the captivating world of the genus Camellia. While most people recognise these plants as the source of their morning brew, the genus is incredibly diverse and economically significant. 

Camellia species are famous for their tea properties, providing the leaf buds and young branches used to manufacture black, green, and oolong tea. Beyond the teapot, these evergreen shrubs and trees are valued for their oil-producing seeds and their stunning ornamental flowers in horticulture. Despite their global fame, we are still discovering new members of this family, often in the remote forests of East and Southeast Asia.

One of the most dramatic stories recently published in PhytoKeys concerns Camellia hekouensis, a tree native to Hekou in Yunnan, China. For a time, the botanical community feared the species was lost forever after the last known living tree died at the end of 2024 due to bark destruction. 

However, a dedicated effort by the staff of the Dawei Mountain National Nature Reserve saved the species from the brink. They successfully protected 11 wild trees and propagated 32 others ex-situ. This species is particularly interesting because its chemical profile challenged previous scientific claims. While earlier researchers suggested it lacked certain purine alkaloids, new analysis shows the leaves actually contain 1.18 mg/g of theobromine.

Camellia hekouensis. Image credit: Dongwei Zhao et al.

Read more: Zhao D, Zhang G, Yang S (2025) Phylogenetic position, supplementary description and phytochemical analysis of Camellia hekouensis (Theaceae), a critically endangered tree native to Hekou, Yunnan, China. PhytoKeys 256: 185-195. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.256.149481 

Further research in Yunnan has revealed another unique relative of the common tea plant named Camellia yangii. Discovered in the forests of Malipo County, this species is a true member of the tea section, yet it stands out for being remarkably hairy. It bears a red or purplish red terminal bud that is densely pubescent, making it a rare and visually striking germplasm resource. 

Lead researcher Dongwei Zhao of Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, found that while most Camellia species have five sepals, Camellia yangii typically bears only three. It also follows its own schedule, flowering about a month later than other tea plants in the vicinity. This late flowering phase is a natural barrier that prevents it from hybridising with other species, keeping its genetic line distinct. With fewer than ten individuals known in the wild, its discovery is a call to action for urgent protection.

Camellia yangii. Image credit: Dongwei Zhao.

Read more: Zhao D (2025) Camellia yangii (Theaceae), a new species of tea plants (Camellia section Thea). PhytoKeys 257: 247-256. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.257.152000 

Botanical science sometimes involves correcting the records of the past, as seen in the reinstatement of Camellia angustifolia. This species from Guangxi, China, was originally described in 1981 but was later dismissed as a mere synonym of another variety in 1992. 

Recent field investigations proved that this was a mistake. Researchers from the Guangxi Research Institute of Tea Science discovered that the original type specimen was actually a misidentified bellflower from a completely different family. Once the correct specimens were examined, the differences became clear – unlike its shrubby relatives that grow only a few meters tall, Camellia angustifolia is a majestic tree that can reach heights of 20 meters. 

Camellia angustifolia. Image credit: Shixiong Yang.

Read more: Deng H, Liao X, Yu X, Liu Z, Yang S (2025) Reinstatement of the independent specific status of Camellia angustifolia, a tea plant (Camellia sect. Thea, Theaceae) from Guangxi, China. PhytoKeys 267: 1-8. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.267.174664 

Our journey through recent tea-related discoveries concludes in the striking Danxia landscape of Guangdong Province. Here, researchers identified Camellia shangshii, a new species endemic to the red sandstone formations of Danxiashan Mountain. This species bears smaller leaves and flowers than its closest relatives. One of its most defining features is that its white petals are fused together at the base for several millimeters. 

This tree notably thrives in a unique microclimate where specialised soils and environmental contrasts drive the evolution of distinct species. It is named in honour of Dr. Shangshi Wu, a scientist who pioneered the study of these geological landscapes.

Camellia shangshii. Image credit: Shiyang Wang, Yinyu Wu and Xiaowei Yi.

Read more: Wang S, Liu H, Tan S, Shen L, Chen Z, Chen F, Fan Q (2026) Camellia shangshii (Theaceae), a new species endemic to danxia landscape from Guangdong Province, China. PhytoKeys 270: 13-23. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.270.172597 

As we celebrate International Tea Day, these discoveries remind us that our knowledge of the natural world is still growing. Every new species found and every historical error improves our understanding of the biological heritage of our favorite beverages. At Pensoft, we will never stop be-leafing in the power of new species to inspire conservation and science!

Make sure to follow PhytoKeys on Facebook and Bluesky for more interesting articles on plants.

Research on Joseph Martin Neumayer (1791-1840) – Universal Research Values: Curiosity and Dedication

Naturalist Joseph Neumayer (1791-1840) systematically documented southern Dalmatia’s flora, collaborating with Roberto Visiani to describe seventeen new taxa, advancing 19th-century Mediterranean botanical knowledge.

Guest blog post by Dr. Mara Marić

Contemporary floristic research is based on quantitative and standardized approaches, supported by various tools for identification and data analysis. However, historical data on the flora of particular regions still serve as an essential foundation. It was precisely this historical context that motivated our research, now available in Italian Botanist. 

Nearly two centuries ago, botany in Central Europe began to emerge as an independent scientific discipline, a process in which amateur botanists played an important role. During the 1830s and 1840s, botany was often referred to as scientia amabilis and experienced significant expansion, reflected in the rapid increase in described plant species and intensified exploration. At that time, Dalmatia appeared “exotic” to researchers from continental Europe, but also highly attractive for study, particularly because many of its areas remained poorly explored.

Map of Neumayer’s plant collection sites for Roberto Visiani (black circle) in Dalmatia. Image credit to Marić, Jasprica and Maslek, 2026.

We were intrigued by references to lesser-known botanists appearing in Central European botanical journals of that period. Our aim was to identify who these individuals were, what their contributions had been, and how their research was conducted and organized. In this context, the work of Roberto de Visiani, professor of botany and director of the Botanical Garden in Padua, is essential. He gathered a wide network of collaborators across Dalmatia and significantly contributed to the systematic study of its flora. His Flora Dalmatica is the result of such collaborative efforts.

Bundle of herbarium sheets in the herbarium collection of Visiani’s “Flora Dalmatica” in Padua. Credit to M. Marić.

Among these collaborators, Joseph Martin Neumayer (1791-1840) stood out. Although described by his contemporaries as “an industrious and intelligent collector of plants” and “a living encyclopedia”, his life and scientific contribution remained largely unknown, and even basic biographical details were recorded incorrectly. This gap became the main impetus for our research.

Letter from the Neumayer-Visiani correspondence, 2 Jan 1838 (UNIPD 38/4.3 – Ar.B.25). Available at https://phaidra.cab.unipd.it/o:469580 [accessed July 2024].

In addition to reviewing historical scientific literature, the most valuable sources were letters exchanged between Neumayer and Visiani, preserved in the archives of the Botanical Garden of the University of Padua. The research was further expanded through archival material from the State Archives in Dubrovnik, as well as parish birth and death records. Through these sources, a picture gradually emerged of a highly dedicated and enthusiastic researcher, fully committed to fieldwork and the development of herbarium collections, which he exchanged with leading botanists of his time.

Herbarium sheets from “Flora Dalmatica” showing Neumayer as collector. A Crypsis aculeata, Narenta (Neretva delta) B Lolium rigidum (=Triticum loliaceum), Prčanj (Bay of Kotor) C Carex hordeistichos, Narenta D Trifolium patulum, Mt. Vlaštica near Dubrovnik. Credit to M. Marić.

The letters reveal that botanical expeditions were demanding and often risky, conducted in the rugged mountainous regions of the Dubrovnik hinterland and Montenegro, as well as in the malaria-prone areas of the Neretva valley. Thanks to these efforts, many plant species from these regions were recorded for the first time. Neumayer also proved to be a “Renaissance-type” researcher, extending his interests beyond plants to mosses, lichens, amphibians, and various groups of insects.

This research reminds us that behind every scientific endeavor, both in the past and today, stand curiosity, perseverance, and a deep commitment to one’s work.

Original source:

Marić M, Jasprica N, Maslek J (2026) The contribution of amateur botanists to the advancement of botanical science in the first half of the 19th century: The case of Joseph Martin Neumayer (1791–1840). Italian Botanist 21: 109-138. https://doi.org/10.3897/italianbotanist.21.183349

The Emerald Forest: The middle Magdalena river Valley in Colombia, a biodiversity treasure hidden until recently

Lowland tropical rainforests, especially in South America, harbour the world’s most diverse flora – including a wide array of neotropical trees.

Guest Blog Post by M. Alejandra Jaramillo

The Mountains

In May 2022, we went on our first expedition to Serranía de Las Quinchas. To reach the Serranía, we turned west in the municipality of Chiquinquirá (known by its beautiful Cathedral, dated 1796), Boyacá department.

Little by little, we left behind the farmland and paved roads, reaching the deep green forest patches a few miles after the town of Otanche (one of the main sites of Emerald commerce).

Serranía de las Quinchas, a well-conserved forest in the middle of emerald production. Photo by Juan Pablo Alarcón.

Leydi Galvis and her parents, Don Lucindo y Doña Edilsa, greeted us with kind smiles and hot coffee, and we subsequently set up the camp to prepare for the next day’s expedition. We spent three days walking up and down the slopes, finding beautiful plants wherever we looked.

Accompanying our group of students from Universidad Militar was Dayro Rodriguez, a young botanist with an incredible eye for plants and a perceptive photographer. It was like visiting the Chocó Region –  very humid, green, and diverse!

In our first expedition, we collected most of our plants, including a new species of peltate leaves belong to pepper family (Piperaceae); “caipe” (Orphanodendron gradiflorum C. Cast. & G.P. Lewis), and Romeroa verticillata Dugand.

Interestingly, our Piper quinchasense M. A. Jaram., has now been spotted in several localities in the middle Magdalena Valley. The enigmatic legume Orphanodendron, meanwhile, derives its generic name from its classification within a subfamily of the Fabaceae. However, “caipe” is a locally common tree used for timber.

Romeroa, on the other hand, is a monospecific genus of trees in the Bignoniaceae with unifoliolate leaves. It is a Colombian endemic taxon, known exclusively in wet forests, such as the Las Quinchas region, located in the Boyacá, Cundinamarca, and Santander departments. The genus has been collected only a few times after its description 70 years ago.

Thus, the flora at Las Quinchas is an exciting combination of species with affinities to the Andes, Chocó Region, and the North West Amazon, with many endemics that make the area a deep, green paradise.

Left, flower of “caipe”, Orphanodendron grandiflorum (Leguminosae). On the right, Romeroa verticillata (Bignoniaceae). Photos by Dayro Rodriguez.

 Subsequent expeditions to the site have consistently yielded discoveries of new and rare plant species. These efforts are supported by a close collaboration with Gerardo Aymard, an expert botanist whose unrivaled ability to review collections and identify new taxa is essential to our work.

Gerardo’s botanical expertise has allowed him to identify two new species to science: Grias lucindoae Aymard & M. A. Jaram. (Lecythidaceae) and Schlegelia longirachis Aymard & M. A. Jaram. (Schlegeliaceae). Both rare genera are often missed by collectors or remain untouched in Herbaria.

Sarcaulus paujuliensis M. A. Jaram & T. D. Penn. Photo by Andres Majin-Ladino.

The Lowlands

In 2024, we had the opportunity to visit the lowlands in the same region. A team of faculty and students from Universidad Militar Nueva Granada visited Reserva “El Paujil”.

Lizette Sierra, Paula Lara, and Luisa Suarez came across a tree species with a unique flower that, no doubt, turned out to be a new taxon. Again, by the joint efforts of the young and inquisitive Andres F. Majin-Ladino, and the expert eye of Gerardo Aymard, we decided it was a rare Sapotaceae – this is one of those families for which indeterminate specimens pile up in herbaria around the world, as botanists just do not find flowers or the courage to identify species.

We consulted the world expert in Sapotaceae, Terrance D. Pennington (The Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew), who was puzzled by the flowers he did not recall. Andres F. Majin-Ladino, with support from Fundación Proaves, visited the locality several times to collect additional samples. We conducted molecular sequence analyses, and the four of us henceforth described a new species of Sarcaulus, S. paujilensis M. A. Jaram. & T. D. Penn, now published in the open-access journal PhytoKeys.

Local naturalist Lucindo Galvis with botanist M. Alejandra Jaramillo. Photo by Juan Pablo
Alarcón.

The Bigger Picture

It is noteworthy that the Serranía de las Quinchas is at the heart of Emerald’s business in Colombia. Mining has been the fundamental activity in the region for very long time, not only of emeralds but also coal. We ought to thank the locals for conserving the remaining beautiful forests. More exploration is needed in the region to uncover its diversity, and efforts should be made to provide alternative economic activities for the community if we want to curb deforestation.

Currently, Las Quinchas region represents a complex and fragile spot of biodiversity that remains largely uncharted, even after centuries of exploration. Humans have long modified the environment and examples of overexploitation and associated species eradication are well-documented.

Forest ecosystems, such as the Magdalena River valley, are the most important global repository of terrestrial biodiversity, with more than half of tree species at risk of extinction. Quantifying the current global forest biodiversity is therefore an essential step towards mitigating global biodiversity loss and restoring biodiversity in severely affected areas.

Tree species diversity underpins forest ecosystem functionality and services, as well as the diversity of assemblages of flora, fauna, and microbes. Therefore, characterising and describing tree species diversity (i.e., Sarcaulus paujilensis), as well as its spatial patterns, is also crucial for safeguarding global ecosystem functioning, food, water, energy security, and our well-being.

Sarcaulus paujilensis. A. Flowering branch; B. Seed; C. Fruiting branch; D. Immature fruit; E. Mature fruit; F, G. Transversal section of fresh fruit. Photos by A. Lizette Sierra, Paula Lara, and Luisa Suarez; B–G. Andrés F. Majín-Ladino.

We are confident that many new plant species of the common families (i.e., Burseraceae, Lecythidaceae, Leguminosae, Meliaceae) of these wet forests will reveal themselves as we visit the locality and walk along the ridges with our eyes open.

Key to our discoveries is our passion for exploring the forest. Indeed, we have young students like Andrés Majin, and young botanists like Dayro Rodriguez on our side. Don Lucindo is equally attentive to let us know about flowering and fruiting periods and rare plants to examine. The contribution of young botanists and local experts has been key to our discoveries!

Original source:

Jaramillo MA, Pennington TD, Aymard-Corredor GA, Majin-Ladino AF (2026) Morphological and genetic evidence for the Sarcaulus brasiliensis complex (Sapotaceae, Chyrsophylloideae) reveals a new species from the rainforests of the Middle Magdalena Valley, Colombia. PhytoKeys 273: 37-54. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.273.175192

New critically endangered ‘fairy lantern’ discovered in Malaysia 

Just 20 individuals of the unusual species are known to exist in the wild.

Researchers in Malaysia have discovered a new endemic ‘fairy lantern’ species with fewer than 20 individuals known to exist in the wild.

Despite having only just being discovered, the ethereal plant is considered Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List due to its tiny population and threatened habitat.

Take a look at the incredible Thismia selangorensis below!

  • Thismia selangorensis. Credit: Gim Siew Tan.
  • Thismia selangorensis. Credit: Gim Siew Tan.
  • Thismia selangorensis. Credit: Gim Siew Tan.
  • Thismia selangorensis. Credit: Gim Siew Tan.

Described in the open-access journal PhytoKeys, the peach-to-pink Thismia selangorensis joins the expanding Thismia genus, which includes 120 known species of mycoheterotrophic plants. Unlike familiar phytosynthetic plants, mycoheterotrophic species lack chlorophyll and do not get their energy from the sun. Instead, they depend solely on a parasitic relationship with fungi in the soil for their nutrition.

Exquisite but endangered: new ‘fairy lantern’ flower discovered in Malaysia

Species from this genus are typically found in undisturbed forests rich in leaf litter, where moist and shaded soils allow them to remain hidden for much of their lives, making their discovery extremely difficult. 

Thismia selangorensis was no exception. Standing at only around 10 cm tall,  with coral‑like roots and a  peach-to-pink flower that develops into a distinctive umbrella‑shaped “mitre” topped by three slender club‑shaped appendages, Thismia selangorensis had gone unnoticed despite decades of human activity in its habitat.

Among the earlier individuals found, one was located in a hole at the base of a tree, as if living in a cave. Later, a few more individuals were found in more open areas near tree buttresses along the riverbanks.

Four images of Thismia selangorensis.
Thismia selangorensis. A. Young flower that is not yet fully developed ; B. Mature flower living just beside the roots of a tree buttress; C. A clump of T. selangorensis at different stages in its natural habitat (FRI 79182); D. A clump of flowers showing a different stage of mitre. Credit: Gim Siew Tan (A–C) and Mohd Faizal (D).

“This discovery shows that significant scientific finds are not limited to remote jungles; they can also be made in ordinary environments where constant human activity leaves little room for expectation. Protecting Thismia selangorensis will require cooperation among researchers, the forest department, stakeholders, and the public, as its survival depends on how carefully we tread in its habitat.”

Siti-Munirah Mat Yunoh (FRIM), lead author of the research paper.
Sun-shunning thief: new plant species robs underground fungi to survive

Naturalist Tan Gim Siew first spotted  the elusive species in November 2023 during a routine photography visit to Taman Eko Rimba Sungai Chongkak, part of the Hulu Langat Forest Reserve and a long‑established picnic and camping destination near Kuala Lumpur. A tiny plant was growing among moist leaf litter near the buttress roots of a riverside tree. Follow-up surveys revealed that fewer than 20 individuals were present, with an estimated occupied habitat of only four km².

Video showing the public nature of Thismia selangorensis‘s habitat. Credit: Gim Siew Tan.

The authors highlight that, although part of the Sungai Chongkak forest remains relatively intact, plants growing close to riverside campsites and picnic areas could easily be destroyed unintentionally by trampling or flooding. They recommend careful management of visitor access around known sites, continued monitoring of the population and further botanical surveys to clarify whether the species occurs beyond its currently known locality.

“The most important effort now is to raise awareness about this species so the public realises that it exists – right here, in this small corner of the world, and nowhere else, at least for now. Understanding its presence is the first step towards ensuring that this extraordinary plant is not lost before many people even know it exists.”

Siti-Munirah Mat Yunoh (FRIM), lead author of the research paper.

Original source

Siti-Munirah MY, Gim Siew T, Mat-Tahir MF, Azhar A (2025) Thismia selangorensis (Thismiaceae): a new mitriform fairy lantern species from Selangor, Malaysia. PhytoKeys 267: 9-21. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.267.157968

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What are semi-double flowers? New species discovered with rare trait

Single-flowered plants are by far the most common species found in the wild.

More petals often equals more appeal for flower lovers. Double and semi-double blooms are popular among gardeners for their lush, ornate appearance. But, while they are common in cultivated varieties, they are exceptionally rare in the wild. 

So, when researchers from China discovered a new species with naturally occurring semi-double flowers, they knew they had found something special.

What are single, semi-double, and double flowers?

To appreciate this discovery, it’s helpful to understand what makes a flower “single,” “double,” or “semi-double.”

Three flowers, one with a single row of petals, one with a two, and one with several.
Left-to-right: single, semi-double, and double flowers in Rosaceae.
  • Single flowers have the typical number of petals for their species, arranged in a single row. This number is usually five in the rose family (Rosaceae). Single-flowered plants are by far the most common wild species.
  • Double flowers have been bred or mutated to have many extra petals, often replacing stamens, giving them a full, layered look. While they are popular for their aesthetic value, double flowers are often poor (or entirely useless) for pollinators.
  • Semi-double flowers are an intermediate form. They have more than the typical number of petals (often in two whorls), but fewer than fully double flowers, usually around 10–12 petals. Semi-double flowers are rare in the wild and – like double flowers – are almost always cultivated.

Double and semi-double blooms are prized for their beauty and prolonged flowering, but are typically only seen in cultivated ornamentals, not in wild populations.

Rubus semiplenus

Discovered in 2022 during a botanical expedition in Hunan Province’s Nanyue Hengshan National Nature Reserve, Rubus semiplenus is a rare example of a wild species with semi-double flowers. Scientists from Yunnan University and local botanical institutions confirmed it as a new species and published their findings in the open-access journal PhytoKeys.

Rubus semiplenus.

Unlike most of its Rubus relatives, R. semiplenus grows as a small herb or dwarf subshrub rather than a woody shrub. The bramble’s leaves are simple and nearly round, which is also unusual for the genus, and its flowers have 10–12 white petals arranged in two whorls, clearly distinguishing it from related species like Rubus hirsutus, which has the typical five-petaled, single flowers.

The floral trait seen in R. semiplenus is exceptionally rare in wild Rubus species. While some cultivated varieties and a few exceptions (like Rubus rosifolius var. coronarius) show similar traits, spontaneous semi-double flowers are almost unheard of in the wild. The discovery is also taxonomically significant. Genetic and morphological analyses place R. semiplenus within the section Rosaefolii, but it is the only known member of that group with both simple leaves and semi-double flowers, which may provide insight into floral evolution and development within the Rubus genus.

Original source

Wang T-T, Li M-H, Kuang D-Y, Xia J-L, Wang Q-P, Wang H-C (2025) Rubus semiplenus (Rosaceae), a new species with naturally occurring semi-double flowers from Hunan, China. PhytoKeys 257: 79-93. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.257.150519

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A prolific discovery: three new orchid species from Costa Rica and Panama

The new species utilise an unusual method of asexual reproduction known as prolification.

Researchers have discovered three new Pleurothallis orchid species in the cloud forests of Costa Rica and Panama. The new species utilise an unusual method of asexual reproduction known as prolification.

Pleurothallis winkeliana. Credit: Karremans et al.

Found in the cool, misty highlands of the Talamanca range at elevations between 1400 and 2550 metres, the newly discovered species, Pleurothallis matrisilvae, Pleurothallis pridgeoniana and Pleurothallis winkeliana are described in the open-access journal PhytoKeys. 

Prolific stems in species across Pleurothallidinae. Credit: Karremans et al.

Prolificating plants produce miniature plantlets directly from their flowering stems, allowing them to bypass seed production.

Whilst prolification is rarely a fixed feature within this group of orchids, it becomes common under stressful environmental conditions. The ability may be advantageous in the challenging conditions of cloud forests, but remains underexplored scientifically. Methods of asexual reproduction might also be important when pollinators are scarce.

Pleurothallis matrisilvae. Credit: Karremans et al.

The new species have each adapted to exhibit prolification in different ways, such as forming long chains or bushy growths. These adaptations helped researchers identify them as distinct species, despite their initial visual similarities with other plants. 

With close to 1700 species currently recorded, a third of which not known from anywhere else in the world, Costa Rica is a well-known orchid biodiversity hotspot. The discovery of these orchids displays the Talamanca range’s significance as a rich and largely unexplored area. 

Pleurothallis pridgeoniana. Credit: Karremans et al.

With these additions, Costa Rica now boasts 67 recognised species of Pleurothallis, though researchers believe many more await formal identification. Such abundance highlights the importance of conserving these unique ecosystems.

Thanks to Costa Rica’s robust system of protected areas (SINAC), local institutions such as Lankester Botanical Garden of the University of Costa Rica are able to uncover and describe floristic novelties in an effort to study and conserve the country’s unique biodiversity.

Original source

Karremans AP, Pupulin F, Gange J, Bogarín D (2025) Three new species of Pleurothallis (Orchidaceae) from Costa Rica and Panama, with a note on asexual reproduction by prolification in Pleurothallidinae. PhytoKeys 256: 197-220. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.256.140316

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Exquisite but endangered: new ‘fairy lantern’ flower discovered in Malaysia

The tiny new Thismia species is threatened by habitat degradation.

Species belonging to the genus Thismia are some of the strangest and most magical-looking in the plant kingdom, which has earned them the nickname ‘fairy lanterns.’

No exception to the rule, a newly discovered Thismia species from eastern Peninsular Malaysia looks like something that belongs in a fantasy world.

Take a look below.

Thismia aliasii.

Standing just 11 cm tall, Thismia aliasii is an easy-to-miss and Critically Endangered new species described in the open-access journal PhytoKeys.

The genus Thismia consists of plants that are mycoheterotrophic, meaning they do not photosynthesise and instead rely entirely on fungi for their nutrition. The unusual flowers seen on Thismia species facilitate specialised pollination mechanisms involving small insects such as fungus gnats.

Sun-shunning thief: new plant species robs underground fungi to survive

Thismia aliasii was first documented by co-author Mohamad Alias Shakri in 2019 during a field expedition in Terengganu’s Chemerong Forest Eco Park, not far from a hiking path.

Terengganu’s Chemerong Forest Eco Park, habitat of the new species.

“The discovery of Thismia aliasii is very interesting as it was found in a mountainous region known for its natural beauty. The discovery was made on the edge of a popular mountaineering trail, but, remarkably, the species was first recognised by Alias.

“It was not easy to obtain specimens for further study as its habitat is on the mountain and COVID time delayed search efforts. Fortunately, targeted field work to find this plant was successful with the support of NAGAO.”

Siti-Munirah Mat Yunoh, co-author of the paper.
Woman holding an orange flower.
Siti-Munirah Mat Yunoh with Thismia aliasii.
Three men crouching and pointing at a small flower.
From left to right Angan and Alias and Zubir with Thismia aliasii.

Thismia aliasii is provisionally classified as Critically Endangered (CR) under the IUCN Red List criteria, with only five individuals observed across multiple surveys. The primary threats to its survival stem from habitat degradation due to increasing hiking activities in the region.

This discovery adds to Terengganu’s reputation as a hotspot for Thismia diversity, being home to 13 species of the genus, including six endemics. 

Macro image of an orange flower.
Macro image of an orange flower.
Thismia aliasii.

Siti-Munirah Mat Yunoh, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, and Mohamad Alias Shakri, Terengganu Forestry Department completed the research with funding from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability under the 12th Malaysian Plan and support from the Nagao Research Grant.

Original source

Siti-Munirah MY, Mohamad Alias S (2025) Thismia aliasii (Thismiaceae), a new species from Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia. PhytoKeys 254: 175-188. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.254.136085

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Plants of the Carribbean: Pensoft at the XIII Latin American Congress of Botany in Havana

Researchers gathered in Cuba to share the latest advancements in plant science.

From the 10th to 14th March, 2025, Havana, Cuba, hosted the XIII Latin American Congress of Botany, a fantastic event that brought together botanists and mycologists from far and wide to share knowledge and celebrate the rich botanical heritage of Latin America. 

Organised by the Latin American Botanical Association and Planta! – Plantlife Conservation Society, the event welcomed around 300 attendees and provided fertile ground for experts to engage in meaningful discussions and forge new partnerships. 

Pensoft's stand at the XIII Latin American Congress of Botany in Havana, with many visitors.
Pensoft’s stand welcomed hundreds of visitors.

Pensoft was proud to participate in the congress, showcasing its commitment to advancing plant research and establishing relationships with the global academic community. As always, the Pensoft team was thrilled to meet up with familiar authors, editors, and reviewers, as well as hundreds of new faces.

  • Eldis R. Bécquer
  • Alicia Rodriguez and Denitsa Peneva
  • Carolina Garrizo Garcia and Boriana Ovcharova
  • Rafael Silva and Boriana Ovcharova
  • Event organisers Alejandro Palmarola and Ramona Oviedo with Lyubomir Penev
  • Alejandra Jamarillo
  • Lyubomir Penev and John Clark

Pensoft’s stand was hub of activity, featuring information on its numerous journals in botany and mycology. These included PhytoKeys, MycoKeys, IMA Fungus, Plant Ecology and Evolution, Italian Botanist, Biodiversity Data Journal, Neotropical Biology and Conservation, and Check List. At the stand, attendees were welcomed to explore the journals, discuss publishing opportunities, learn about Pensoft’s cutting-edge publishing and technology solutions, take some stickers, and even enter a raffle!

The stand was adorned with many promotional materials featuring artwork by Denitsa Peneva, which proved to be a major draw for the attendees. 

Promotional material at Pensoft’s stand.

On Friday, March 14, 2025, Pensoft’s CEO and Founder, Prof Dr Lyubomir Penev, delivered a compelling talk titled “Advancing Plant Taxonomy and Conservation through Scholarly Communication.” This presentation delved into the workflows and tools designed to streamline data publishing and enhance scholarly communication throughout the academic portfolio of the open-access publisher. Key aspects covered included semantic enrichment, data publishing, automated data import/export and science communication, all of which are crucial for advancing biodiversity research and conservation efforts.

The event marked another milestone in Pensoft’s ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between research and publication, ensuring that botanical knowledge reaches a wider audience and contributes to the conservation of plant diversity worldwide. As the botanical community looks forward to future gatherings, Pensoft remains ready to support and enhance the dissemination of botanical science globally.

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New blazing star discovery highlights the power of citizen science

The rare plant was identified thanks to photographs uploaded to iNaturalist.

Discovered in the Andean cloud forests of northern Peru, a new species in the blazing star family (Loasaceae) has reinforced the vital role of citizen science in plant research. 

Nasa katjae. Credit: Joshua P. Allen

An international research team collected, identified and documented the rare plant after seeing photographs uploaded by Peruvian naturalist, Carlos Pérez Peña, on the citizen science platform iNaturalist. Assigning the species the name Nasa katjae, they published the discovery in the open-access journal PhytoKeys.

Nasa katjae has striking scarlet-red flowers adapted for hummingbird pollination and is endemic to a single forest near Colasay in the Cajamarca region of Peru, not far from a populated area. Due to its extremely narrow range, it is likely particularly vulnerable to the threat of habitat loss.

The discovery highlights the importance of protecting the remaining pristine habitats in the Amotape-Huancabamba Zone, a biodiversity hotspot home to many rare and isolated species. The team behind the study emphasise that, without immediate conservation efforts, these ecologically fragile regions could be lost to agricultural expansion and climate change before they are fully understood.

Nasa katjae habitat. Credit: Joshua P. Allen

Lead author Dr Tilo Henning of the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research remarked on the significance of the find: “If we have overlooked this striking plant, think about what we have missed in more unobtrusive organismal groups such as mosses, fungi and insects.”

“Discovering such a conspicuous flowering plant in a forest directly adjacent to a larger human settlement signifies that we have not even begun to fully map the biodiversity of some regions. We urgently need more taxonomists and funding to meaningfully tackle this.”

While some areas in northern Peru have recently received formal protection, the forest fragment in which Nasa katjae is found remains unprotected. The authors of the study urge decision makers to take action to safeguard these habitats before it is too late.

The discovery of Nasa katjae displays the power of digital tools and citizen science in biodiversity research. Platforms like iNaturalist prove invaluable in detecting and documenting rare species, complementing traditional fieldwork and accelerating new discoveries.

Original source

Henning T, Allen JP, Montesinos-Tubée D, Rodríguez-Rodríguez EF, Peña JLM, Acuña-Castillo R (2025) No end to endemism – contributions to the difficult Nasa Weigend Series Alatae (Loasaceae). A new species from Peru and the rehabilitation of “ Loasa” calycina Benth. PhytoKeys 252: 163-186. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.252.141635

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The woolly devil: a landmark U.S. plant discovery

Belonging to the sunflower family, the tiny plant was found in Big Bend National Park, Texas.

Based on this press release by the California Academy of Sciences.

Researchers have discovered the first new genus and species of plant in a U.S. national park for nearly 50 years.

Described in the OA journal PhytoKeys, the new-to-science woolly devil (Ovicula biradiata) is a member of the sunflower family, despite looking quite different to its sunburst-shaped relatives.

Small wooly plants between rocks.
The small, fuzzy flower grows in the harsh, rocky soils of the Chihuahuan Desert and only appears after rainfall. (Photo courtesy of Big Bend National Park)

Scientists from the California Academy of Sciences, Big Bend National Park, Sul Ross State University, and Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional (CIDIIR) made the discovery in Big Bend National Park, Texas.

The national park is located within the Chihuahuan Desert, the largest and most biologically diverse warm desert in North America, and is a highly studied floristic region.

“While many assume that the plants and animals within our country’s national parks have probably been documented by now, scientists still make surprising new discoveries in these iconic protected landscapes,” says corresponding author and Academy researcher Isaac Lichter Marck, PhD. 

Desert landscape.
From an elevation of less than 1,800 feet along the Rio Grande to nearly 8,000 feet in Chisos Mountains, Big Bend includes massive canyons, vast desert expanses, forest mountains, and an ever-changing river. (Photo courtesy of Big Bend National Park)

Park volunteer Deb Manley was first to observe the plant in March of 2024 by who uploaded the unknown species to the community science app iNaturalist, where an international community of botanists assembled to identify the mysterious flower. 

Known to botanists as a “belly plant,” or a small, discreet plant that can only be properly observed by lying on the ground, this distinctive wild flower with furry white foliage and maroon ray florets is an ephemeral species that only blooms after rain. It thrives in harsh rocky habitats with scant rainfall and grows alongside a variety of drought-tolerant shrubs, such as ocotillo, hedgehog cactus, and creosote.

Researchers have only observed the plant in three narrow locations across the northernmost corner of the park, and it is possible that populations of the species are already diminishing.

Three researchers on hands and knees.
Big Bend National Park staff members Carolyn Whiting, Deb Manley, and Patty Manning discovered the plant while hiking through the northernmost reaches of the park. (Photo courtesy of Big Bend National Park)

“Plants that thrive in deserts are often quite unique, having evolved specific mechanisms to withstand the extreme drought-and-deluge conditions of these arid landscapes—from water-storing structures to rapid life cycles triggered by rain,” says Lichter Marck. 

“But as climate change pushes deserts to become hotter and drier, highly specialized plants like the woolly devil face extinction.”

The plant’s woolly appearance and striking red petals inspired the name Ovicula biradiata. Ovicula, meaning “tiny sheep,” refers to the thick, white hairs that cover the plant’s leaves and honors a more iconic endangered species in Big Bend: the bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). Biradiata, or “bi-radial,” refers to the two ray florets in each of the plant’s flowers. Researchers working with the plant affectionately dubbed the fuzzy flower the “woolly devil,” which has become its suggested common name.

A researchers photographing a tiny plant using a phone.
Park botanist Carolyn Whiting observes the unknown species in March 2024. (Photo courtesy of Big Bend National Park)

“Now that the species has been identified and named, there is a tremendous amount we have yet to learn about it,” says Big Bend National Park botanist Carolyn Whiting.

“I’m excited to discover whether there are other populations in the park, the details of its life cycle, what pollinates it, and whether we’ll observe it this spring, given the current drought.”

Researchers are now investigating the woolly devil’s potential medicinal properties.

“Under the microscope, we noticed specific glands that are known to possess compounds with anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties in other plants within the sunflower family,” says Academy co-author Keily Peralta.

“While further research is needed to determine these properties, this discovery underscores the potential knowledge we stand to gain from preserving plant diversity in fragile desert ecosystems.”

Original source

Manley DL, Lichter Marck IH, Peralta K, Castro Castro A, Wogan KA, Whiting CV, Powell AM (2025) Ovicula biradiata, a new genus of Compositae from Big Bend National Park in Trans-Pecos Texas. PhytoKeys 252: 141-162. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.252.137624

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