(CNN)A small swirling pogonia, a species of orchid that is endangered by the federal government, Rediscovered in Vermont. The plant was last discovered in the state.
This plant was last recorded in Vermont in 1902, Aaron Marcus, a botany assistant at the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Service, told CNN. Naturalists were extensively searching for small swirl-shaped pogonia in Vermont, but came out empty-handed.
The small spiral pogonia is "one of the rarest orchids east of Mississippi," says Marcus. This type of rarity may be related to dependence on fungi in the environment. This relationship is still poorly understood by scientists.
"One of the really cool things about our orchid species is that most of them really really really depend on fungal species. They are invisible species underground and in the root system. To understand orchids and their needs because they are connected, "Marcus said.
Marcus said the last known document about a small swirl in Vermont was a photo of a plant that had been dug up and placed in a flowerpot.
Marcus said the discovery of plant outcrops in Vermont was "a truly wonderful and exciting bright light." The population is "probably the northernmost population of the entire small swirl of Pogonia," found in southern Maine, southern Georgia, southern Ontario, Michigan, and Tennessee.
Orchids are under threat of climate change, habitat loss, human collection or trampling.
Marcus posted a photo of a small swirling pogonia population in Vermont on iNaturalist, an online platform for amateur naturalists to identify surrounding plants and animals. Explained that it was discovered by a retired greenhouse manager. Later, Marcus and Vermont's Department of Fish and Wildlife botanist Bob Pop visited the site and confirmed on May 25 that it was certainly a small spiral pogonia.
Discovering orchids was "very exciting," Marcus said.
"The most important thing is to protect the place where the plants are," Marcus added. "That's really our number one priority, so that they can thrive on the spot." The plants are on publicly protected land in the Winuski Valley Park area, and the department is in its exact location. Keeping secret, we are driving away potential collectors.
For Marcus, this discovery is "incredibly humble", reminiscent of how many scientists remain to learn about the natural world. "There's more to know," Marcus said. "Our backyard has so many rights that we don't know, or we once knew, so we need to relearn."
Botanist Bob Popp said: We shared the excitement of Marcus in "Amazing Discovery".
"That doesn't happen very often," Pop told CNN. "I've been in my position for 32 years and often record species declines," he said. "Things are going in the opposite direction-it's just astounding."
In the future, Pop said he wants his team members to monitor the population. They have found evidence of damage to some plants by slugs, and orchids may also face threats from viewing by animals such as deer.
Popp also emphasized the importance of naturalists who "report what they see" outdoors. "There is no substitute for eyes and ears in the woods," he said.
