Geosiris australiensis Sexiest Plant of 2019.

t’s a pale rebel with a mysterious past, who doesn’t play by the family rules. You might not guess from looking at it, but Geosiris australiensis is my pick for the Sexiest Plant of 2019.

I might be biased though: my colleagues and I have just uncovered the amazing life, and evolutionary history of this mysterious herb. It was only found in Australia in 2017, so there’s plenty left to discover.

But here are five things we do know about this strange, alluring guy.

more…

Tau.Neutrino said:

Geosiris australiensis Sexiest Plant of 2019.

t’s a pale rebel with a mysterious past, who doesn’t play by the family rules. You might not guess from looking at it, but Geosiris australiensis is my pick for the Sexiest Plant of 2019.

I might be biased though: my colleagues and I have just uncovered the amazing life, and evolutionary history of this mysterious herb. It was only found in Australia in 2017, so there’s plenty left to discover.

But here are five things we do know about this strange, alluring guy.

more…

Link just takes you back to the forum page.

New link

http://theconversation.com/geosiris-is-an-early-contender-for-sexiest-plant-of-2019-109889

Sexiest Plant of 2019

PermeateFree said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Geosiris australiensis Sexiest Plant of 2019.

t’s a pale rebel with a mysterious past, who doesn’t play by the family rules. You might not guess from looking at it, but Geosiris australiensis is my pick for the Sexiest Plant of 2019.

I might be biased though: my colleagues and I have just uncovered the amazing life, and evolutionary history of this mysterious herb. It was only found in Australia in 2017, so there’s plenty left to discover.

But here are five things we do know about this strange, alluring guy.

more…

Link just takes you back to the forum page.

http://novataxa.blogspot.com/2017/07/geosiris-australiensis.html

Firstly, I do not find this plant the least bit attractive

Secondly, it is January. Way to early to call the best of 2019 for anything in any category.

party_pants said:

Firstly, I do not find this plant the least bit attractive

Secondly, it is January. Way to early to call the best of 2019 for anything in any category.

Yes there could be a fetching centrefold plant wearing a little off the shoulder number in the June edition.

Another plant that cannot photosynthesise.

Rhizanthella gardneri – Western Underground Orchid

Meet Rhizanthella gardneri. This strange little orchid is endemic to Western Australia and it lives, blooms, and sets seed entirely underground. It is extremely rare, with very few known populations, which are unpublished to the general public for its protection, think of it if you will witness protection, as fewer than 50 mature plants are known to exist.

While the unusual life of this orchid certainly captures the imagination, it holds another secret, deep in its cells. Despite the fact that this fully subterranean orchid cannot photosynthesise and has no green parts at all, it still retains chloroplasts — the site of photosynthesis in plants. However, unlike normal plants 70% of the genes in the orchid’s chloroplast has been lost (maybe part of the witness protection program?) This orchid is tricky and as it does not photosynthesize it instead parasitizes a fungus that is mycorrhizal with the broom honey myrtle (Melaleuca uncinata).

PermeateFree said:

Another plant that cannot photosynthesise.

Rhizanthella gardneri – Western Underground Orchid

Meet Rhizanthella gardneri. This strange little orchid is endemic to Western Australia and it lives, blooms, and sets seed entirely underground. It is extremely rare, with very few known populations, which are unpublished to the general public for its protection, think of it if you will witness protection, as fewer than 50 mature plants are known to exist.

While the unusual life of this orchid certainly captures the imagination, it holds another secret, deep in its cells. Despite the fact that this fully subterranean orchid cannot photosynthesise and has no green parts at all, it still retains chloroplasts — the site of photosynthesis in plants. However, unlike normal plants 70% of the genes in the orchid’s chloroplast has been lost (maybe part of the witness protection program?) This orchid is tricky and as it does not photosynthesize it instead parasitizes a fungus that is mycorrhizal with the broom honey myrtle (Melaleuca uncinata).

https://www.integratesustainability.com.au/2018/09/06/the-amazing-western-australian-underground-orchid/