'Extinct' Wildflower Rediscovered

This one lives in Ecuador. Even its name causes one to think that it was extinct, Gasteranthus extinctus Biologists found it still living in the foothills of the Andes and in remnant forest of the Centinela region. Extensive deforestation caused scientists to assume it was exterminated by man. About 97% of western Ecuador, including the Centinela Ridge, has been converted to farmland in the 20th century. Scientists have begun to scan satelite photos of the Centinela Ridge, looking for remnant primary forest patches that can be saved when they located the flower. [photo: R. Fortier]

They expected to see devastation when they entered Centinela, but were pleasantly surprised.  They found the plant within a few hours of searching, using drawings and dried specimens for comparison.  As you can see the flower has a beautiful neon-orange flower and deeply veined leaves.  The plant has a pouch on the leaf underside that allows pollinators to enter and exit.  A botanist at Chicago's Field Museum when asked for comment on the re-discovery said, the plant shows it is worth saving what remains of wild Nature, as it can turn around even the worse cases of bio-diversity destruction.  G. extinctus will keep its misleading name, while researchers look for ways to preserve its habitat.