Japan’s most familiar orchid is found to have near-identical cousin

Spiranthes hachijoensis, whose rosy pink petals bear a striking resemblance to glasswork, can be found in common environments such as lawns and parks, and even in private gardens and on balconies.

Until now it was believed that all the Spirants on the Japanese mainland were a single species, when in fact there are two.

The new species was a cryptic species exhibiting a high level of molecular divergence.