Gastrodia kuroshimensis is an unusual species of plant that was discovered in April 2016.[1] It is mycoheterotrophic, meaning that it does not engage in photosynthesis like most plants but obtains energy from its host fungi. It is also cleistogamous, meaning that it produces flowers that never open. Since its flowers never open, it is self-fertilizing.[2]
Thus far the species has only been found on the Japanese island of Kuroshima after which it is named.
Due to its dark habitat and cleistogamous flowers, it is not pollinated by insects, unlike most other species of orchids.[1][3]
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(help) Gastrodia kuroshimensis is an unusual species of plant that was discovered in April 2016. It is mycoheterotrophic, meaning that it does not engage in photosynthesis like most plants but obtains energy from its host fungi. It is also cleistogamous, meaning that it produces flowers that never open. Since its flowers never open, it is self-fertilizing.
Thus far the species has only been found on the Japanese island of Kuroshima after which it is named.
Due to its dark habitat and cleistogamous flowers, it is not pollinated by insects, unlike most other species of orchids.
Gastrodia kuroshimensis es una especie de orquídea terrestre perteneciente a la familia Orchidaceae, descubierta en abril de 2016.[1] 2016.
Ha sido descubierta en la isla japonesa de Kuroshima, localizada en la prefectura de Kagoshima, al sur de Kyūshū. La planta recibe su nombre por la citada isla, aunque ha sido localizada también en las islas de Yakushima y Akusekijima.
Al igual que el resto de su género, es micoheterótrofa: no realiza fotosíntesis y se alimenta mediante una micorriza, o unión simbiótica entre las raíces de la planta y hongos. Otra característica destacable es su cleistogamia, ya que la flor se autopoliniza y se autofecunda debido a que siempre permanece cerrada.[2]
Su hábitat es oscuro, por lo que insectos no están involucrados con ella.[3]
Gastrodia kuroshimensis es una especie de orquídea terrestre perteneciente a la familia Orchidaceae, descubierta en abril de 2016. 2016.