You may think that most of the life on earth has been discovered, but that's far from the truth. There are many species of animals, plants and insects that humans haven't come into contact with yet. Flowers are no exception - recently, a botanist discovered a new species of orchid on an island in Southeast Asia.
The finding is important because so far, it's the first known species of orchid that flowers at night. That's one species out of around 25,000. According to CNN, Dutch orchid specialist Ed de Vogel found the specimen in New Britain, off the coast of Papua New Guinea. He got permission to collect orchids from a logging area on the island and brought them back to his homeland for study.
At first, de Vogel noticed the flowers began to wilt once they reached a certain size, but once he brought them home he witnessed the blooms flourishing at night. They open consistently around 10 pm and stay open for around 12 hours. The flowers only last for one night before they wilt and drop off.
Scientists aren't sure why the species blooms at night. Speculation points to the pollinators of the flowers, which are midges, active only in the evening. Most other orchids are pollinated by moths that also forage at night, but the flowers normally remain open during the day as well.
As part of the Epicrianthes family of orchids, the new species, named Bulbophyllum nocturnum, fits right into the group, which is known for its strange flowers and appendages. Botanists note that the orchids in this group sometimes resemble legged insects and have thin filaments which move in the breeze - probably to attract pollinators.
Not many other flowers open at night, but there are a few - night blooming jasmine, the midnight horror tree and the queen of the night cactus. There may be many more species of flowers, like this new orchid, which flower at night, most of them are probably located in primeval tropical forests like the one on New Britain.
Although you may never discover a new species, you can always share the gift of flowers. If you're thinking about sending flowers as Christmas gifts this holiday season, you may want to send orchids to your loved ones. They come in a variety of colors and add a touch of sophistication and beauty to any decor. In case you're worried that the recipient doesn't have a green thumb, you should know that orchids are easy to care for.