Scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and partners across the globe present their pick of the top 10 plant and fungal species named new to science at Kew in 2022.
From a record-breaking giant waterlily in the wetlands of Bolivia to a waterfall-dwelling plant deemed extinct before it was named and a Ukrainian-discovered Turkish 'winter daffodil' with non-opening flowers; RBG Kew's annual list sheds light on the wonders, complexities and rarities of the natural world. This year's showstoppers are particularly poignant as they pay tribute to those who laid their lives down for the sake of protecting the planet's biodiversity.
Approximately 90 plants and 24 fungi have been named this year by RBG Kew and partners alone, with new species hailing from the rainforests of central Africa, the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, and even the caves of SE Asia. Many of these discoveries represent extremely rare species already threatened with extinction, some of which only exist in single locations and at least one is considered already globally extinct.
By heading out into the field with their international partners to discover, characterize, and name new species to science of plants and fungi, scientists at Kew are aiding worldwide efforts to halt and reverse the global biodiversity crisis, with two in five plants estimated to be at risk of extinction.
The top ten plant and fungi species named new to science in 2022
From a record-breaking giant waterlily in the wetlands of Bolivia to a waterfall-dwelling plant deemed extinct before it was named and a Ukrainian-discovered Turkish 'winter daffodil' with non-opening flowers; RBG Kew's annual list sheds light on the wonders, complexities and rarities of the natural world. This year's showstoppers are particularly poignant as they pay tribute to those who laid their lives down for the sake of protecting the planet's biodiversity.
Approximately 90 plants and 24 fungi have been named this year by RBG Kew and partners alone, with new species hailing from the rainforests of central Africa, the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, and even the caves of SE Asia. Many of these discoveries represent extremely rare species already threatened with extinction, some of which only exist in single locations and at least one is considered already globally extinct.
By heading out into the field with their international partners to discover, characterize, and name new species to science of plants and fungi, scientists at Kew are aiding worldwide efforts to halt and reverse the global biodiversity crisis, with two in five plants estimated to be at risk of extinction.
The top ten plant and fungi species named new to science in 2022