A research team from the National Biodiversity Centre, College of Natural Resources and the Department of Forests and Park Services discovered two new orchid species.
Named in reference to the densely flowered inflorescences, Chiloschista densiflora was discovered from Zhemgang in 2014. And the second new orchid species is Chiloschista himalaica which was discovered from Chhukha in 2015. It is named in reference to the known general area of distribution in the Himalayas.
The species were concluded as new species only in September this year. According to the National Biodiversity Centre, new species discoveries mean biodiversity is high and the forest is healthy. From 2017 to date, five new orchids new to science were discovered. As of today, Bhutan has 487 orchid species including the two new species.
Sonam Pem
