Orchid or demon? Scientists discover New orchids species resembling devil's head

Scientists have discovered a new species of orchids which have features that look like a devil’s head. The species has been found from a lone and unique population of about 30 flowers that grow on the small patch in Colombia.

With its only known habitat restricted to a single population spread across a dwarf montane forest at the border between departments Putumayo and Narino in southern Colombia, the devilish orchid is assigned as a Critically Endangered species in the IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) Red List.

The new orchid species called Telipogon diabolicus has been named after its demonic patterns. It grows a stem measuring between 5.5 to 9 cm in height.

Marta Kolanowska and Dariusz Szlachetko, both affiliated with University of Gdansk in Poland, together with Ramiro Medina Trejo from Colombia discovered the species.

Although the curious orchid could be mistakenly taken for a few other species, there are still some easy to see physical traits that make the flower stand out.

Apart from the demon’s head hidden at the heart of its colours, the petals themselves are characteristically clawed. This feature has not been found in any other Colombian species of the genus.

“In the most recent catalogue of Colombian plants almost 3600 orchid species representing nearly 250 genera are included,” researchers said.

“However, there is no doubt that hundreds of species occurring in this country remain undiscovered. Only in 2015 over 20 novelties were published based on material collected in Colombia,” they said. 

(With PTI inputs)