Newly Discovered Species of Orchid Looks Like Delicate Piece of Glass Art : ScienceAlert

A new species of orchid has been discovered by researchers at Kobe University in Japan, after a decade of study. Despite its presence in gardens, the Spiranthes hachijoensis has only just been recognised as a new species. The orchid’s delicate flowers resemble glasswork, with white and pink petals spiralled into intricate patterns. The species has practical applications too: it is being researched as a potential therapeutic tool for improving memory, by using an extract from the plant’s roots.

Spiranthes hachijoensis, known colloquially as ladies’ tresses, is common in gardens, parks and as a potted plant. A few of the specimens that contributed to the findings of researchers came from potted plants kept in a high school in the Gifu region. Professor Kenji Suetsugu is leading the team that identified the previously unknown species. He expressed surprise that it had remained unnoticed for so long, considering the plant’s prevalence. The orchid’s inclusion in the eighth-century Japanese anthology of poems, Manyoshu, shows its cultural significance in the country.

Botanists gave the species the name hachijoensis because the vast majority of samples were discovered on Hachijojima island, Tokyo. The orchid’s potential memory-boosting properties lie in its ability to encourage the growth of dendrites in rodent hippocampal neurons, according to initial findings by Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai. Academics at Kobe University are working with Eisai to investigate how extracts from the plant can be used in treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

The orchid discovery comes amidst continued research into the therapeutic possibilities of plant life. Many studies have assessed the possible medical benefits of diverse flora, particularly in regards to improving memory, mitigating depression and anxiety, reducing inflammation, and fighting cancer. The growing field of plant-human interactions is not only revealing new scientific information, but also underlines the importance of preserving biodiversity to ensure that these potential medicines are not lost to the world.



Source link