Gastrodia agnicellus is the ‘ugliest orchid in the world’ according to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew (U.K.). Native to Madagascar, it grows underground in decaying leaf litter for most of its life cycle. The fleshy brown flowers, which are probably pollinated by flies, measure less than half an inch and have a musk rose-like scent. The orchid depends on fungi for nutrition and has no leaves or any other photosynthetic tissue.
Orchids are fascinating and there are so many variants of the flower species. The latest discovery challenges the usual approach of orchids being a delicate flower species. The blooms are often colourful and fragrant, but the latest one is described ugliest because of its appearance and flesh nature. Although assessed as a threatened species, the plants have some protection because they are located in a national park. The flowers, too, are small—just 11 millimetres in length, ranging from brown to white in colour. No one realised the significance until recently.
Picture Credit : Google
