Odd parasitic plant with fleshy flowers identified as new species

A assessment of hydnora crops has recognized one new species based mostly on preserved specimens and reinstated two others, bringing the entire quantity to 10

By Madeleine Cuff

A brand new-to-science species of a foul-smelling parasitic plant often called hydnora has been recognized from preserved specimens.

Hydnora don’t appear like typical crops, as they lack leaves as a result of they don’t carry out photosynthesis to remain alive. Instead, they leach their vitamins from the roots of host crops, typically acacia timber or euphorbia succulents.

They are native to Africa and the Arabian peninsula, and their warty stems largely stay hidden underground. However, every year after heavy rains, fleshy flowers resembling thick-skinned papaya burst out. Once absolutely opened, the flowers produce an odour of faeces to draw pollinating dung beetles.

Hydnora additionally produce a fruit that grows underground and resembles a potato. This could be very astringent and is usually used for tanning and preserving fishing nets.

Previously, solely eight species of hydnora – which was first described in 1775 – had been identified to science. Now, after reviewing the scientific literature and preserved specimens, Sebastian Hatt on the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London and his colleagues say there are a minimum of 10 distinct species. These embrace the brand new species Hydnora bolinii, present in Ethiopia and Somalia, which differs from different species within the form of its fleshy petals. The examine additionally redefines Hydnora hanningtonii and Hydnora solmsiana as distinct species.

But the group says way more analysis is required to correctly perceive this extraordinary plant, together with why it targets particular host crops and the way endangered totally different species could be.

Reference: bioRxiv, DOI: 10.1101/2022.10.13.512068

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