Plant presumed extinct sprouts in a road after more than 40 years

Life

The mini galaxy plant was found flowering on a gravel road after no official sightings had been made since 1981

By Ryan Truscott

The mini galaxy (Moraea minima) plant was presumed to be extinct

Hafeez Sonday

An extinct flower native to a small region in South Africa has been rediscovered by scientists, more than 40 years since the last official sighting.

The mini galaxy (Moraea minima) is a small plant with pale yellow iris-like flowers that blooms for only a few hours after it has rained. It is unique to a tiny area of the Western Cape near the southernmost tip of Africa.

The plant hadn’t been recorded by scientists in the wild since 1981, until, in August 2022, Eugéne Hahndiek …

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 28th October 2023.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account

More from New Scientist

Explore the latest news, articles and features

>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : New Scientist – https://www.newscientist.com/article/2399982-plant-presumed-extinct-sprouts-in-a-road-after-more-than-40-years/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home