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Rare Leafless 'Ghost Flower' Orchid Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh
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News18•21-09-2026, 12:45
Rare Leafless 'Ghost Flower' Orchid Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh
- •Scientists have identified a new leafless orchid species, Gastrodia keyiensis, in a remote gorge along the Keyi River in Arunachal Pradesh.
- •The orchid, dubbed 'Ghost Flower' (Oram Opuh in Nyishi dialect), lacks leaves and chlorophyll, relying on soil fungi for nutrients in a process called holomycotrophy.
- •Only five flowering individuals were recorded at an altitude of 1,000 meters, highlighting its elusive nature and short flowering period.
- •Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein emphasized the discovery's significance to Arunachal Pradesh's biodiversity and the need for conservation.
- •The species is currently known only from its type locality, placed in the Data Deficient category, with further research and monitoring recommended.
Key Questions Answered
Scientists discovered a rare leafless orchid species named Gastrodia keyiensis, locally known as "Oram Opuh" or "Ghost Flower", in a remote gorge along the Keyi River in Arunachal Pradesh’s Keyi Panyor district.
Lacking leaves and chlorophyll, Gastrodia keyiensis depends on associations with soil fungi to absorb nutrients, a specialized lifestyle known as holomycotrophy.
The species has been placed in the Data Deficient (DD) category because its actual population size and wider distribution remain unknown, with only five flowering individuals recorded during the survey.
