Scientists have identified Gastrodia keyiensis, a rare leafless orchid, in a remote gorge along the Keyi River in Arunachal Pradesh’s Keyi Panyor district. The discovery adds to the state’s rich botanical diversity and highlights the ecological significance of its remote habitats.
Belonging to the genus Gastrodia, the orchid lacks leaves and chlorophyll and cannot produce food through photosynthesis. Instead, it obtains nutrients through associations with soil fungi, a nutritional strategy known as holomycotrophy.
APSC Relevance: Biodiversity, Orchid Diversity
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