Kew study reveals areas with at least 100,000 undiscovered plant species – most likely to be under threat of extinction

Botanists have identified 33 “dark spots” around the world where thousands of plant species are probably waiting to be discovered, according to new research.

From a palm tree in Borneo that flowers underground to a Malagasy orchid that spends its life growing on other plants, researchers are still making dozens of new species discoveries every year.

But with more than 100,000 plant species believed to be undiscovered, the majority of which are believed to be at risk of extinction, a new project led by Kew’s Royal Botanic Gardens is highlighting parts of the world where botanists should be concentrating their search.

From Madagascar to Bolivia, scientists have identified the areas of plant diversity in an effort to turbocharge identification.