{
  "id": 18033844,
  "title": "Treasure hunt for rare orchid discovers thriving new cluster",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/treasure-hunt-for-rare-orchid-discovers-thriving-new-cluster",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-03T23:01:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-04/critically-endangered-bonville-leafless-orchid-discovered-in-new/107330036"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A botany enthusiast by the name of Nick Lambert has discovered a second cluster of the critically endangered Bonville leafless orchid, a species previously thought to exist only at one location in Australia. The new site was found near Boambee, approximately 5 kilometres away from the original location in the NSW Mid North Coast region.\n\nThe orchid, scientifically named Danhatchia copelandii in honor of botanist Lachlan Copeland, is a rare and elusive species that blooms for a mere week or two each year. It thrives under the canopy of subtropical rainforests in northern New South Wales, blending seamlessly with the forest floor and lacking leaves, hence unable to photosynthesize. Its survival depends on a symbiotic relationship with a fungus beneath the soil.\n\nLambert, after locating the first cluster, set out to find more of the cryptic orchid. His discovery, made on October 22, adds significantly to the known population. Previously, only six to seven plants were recorded at the original site at Bonville by Copeland, while this spring, Lambert and Copeland found over 60 plants altogether.\n\nThe new site will be incorporated into the protected Great Koala National Park, a development that provides a potential safety net for the species' survival. The Bonville leafless orchid, one of the few leafless orchid species reliant on nutrients from an underground fungus, poses challenges for cultivation outside its natural habitat due to the unique growing conditions. Its protection is crucial not only for the orchid but for the wider biodiversity in the area.",
  "summary": "Conservationists are thrilled by the discovery of a new location of the critically endangered Bonville leafless orchid, which was previously known to exist at only one place in Australia.",
  "key_points": [
    "Botanist Nick Lambert discovers second cluster of Bonville leafless orchid.",
    "Orchid site found near Boambee, 5km from original location in NSW.",
    "New site added to Great Koala National Park for orchid protection."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}