For the first time in nearly a century, a new genus of plant has been discovered in Japan, but it looks more like a squid or an alien than a plant
The newly described plant Relictithismia kimotsukiensis only emerges above ground for a few days a yearA tiny plant that feeds on fungus and has no pigment has been named as the first new genus of plant from Japan since 1930.
It was found in the Kimotsuki mountains on the island of Kyushu by an amateur botanist in June 2022, but it has taken until now to confirm its unique status. So far, researchers have only found five individuals in a single location and estimate the total population may number as few as 50.The plant, which grows to 3 centimetres tall and 2 centimetres wide, emerges to the surface for as little as a week each year.
He expects the Japanese government to give the plants endangered species protection and take steps to conserve the population, as it is close to a road. “ challenges the notion that new species can only be found in remote or uncharted territories, suggesting instead that even well-studied regions can harbour undiscovered botanical treasures,” says Suetsugu.
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