Lecanorchis tabugawaensis (Orchidaceae, Vanilloideae), a new mycoheterotrophic plant from Yakushima Island, Japan

Researchers have identified Lecanorchis tabugawaensis, a new mycoheterotrophic orchid species from Yakushima Island, Japan. This discovery, published in PhytoKeys, highlights distinct morphological traits—such as its straight column and glabrous labellum—that set it apart from the closely related L. taiwaniana. The species is critically endangered (CR D1), with populations limited to two locations, each containing only dozens of mature individuals. The study employed comparative morphological analysis to distinguish this novel taxon. This finding underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect Yakushima's unique biodiversity, particularly in light of its restricted distribution and mycoheterotrophic lifestyle, which relies on fungal associations.

Suetsugu, K., & Fukunaga, H. (2016). Lecanorchis tabugawaensis (Orchidaceae, Vanilloideae), a new mycoheterotrophic plant from Yakushima Island, Japan. PhytoKeys, 73, 125–135. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.73.10019