Destario Metusala, a researcher with BRIN's Biosystematics and Bioevolution Research Center, informed in a statement released in Jakarta on Thursday that several Chiloschista orchids were found growing epiphytically on trees in semi-open plantations adjacent to forests.
Their camouflage-like coloration, resembling the bark of host trees, coupled with their small but vibrant yellow flowers, made their detection particularly challenging.
The new specimens exhibited distinct floral morphology, differentiating them from other Chiloschista species, notably C. javanica and C. sweelimii.
"The name Chiloschista tjiasmantoi honors environmental philanthropist Wewin Tjiasmanto for his support in flora conservation efforts in Indonesia, particularly in Aceh," Metusala said.
He classified C. tjiasmantoi as endangered based on the IUCN Red List criteria, citing its limited distribution and population, as well as threats from plantation expansion and climate change.
"Expanding protected areas in Aceh is crucial to preserve various endangered plant species, especially those unique to the province," he stated.
C. tjiasmantoi flower buds measure 1.0–1.2 cm in width and are characterized by a yellow base with orange or reddish spots. A single, elongated inflorescence can produce up to 30 simultaneously blooming flowers.
The species is typically found at altitudes between 700–1,000 meters above sea level, attached to mature tree trunks in semi-open, windy, and humid habitats. Its flowering season spans mid-July and early November to late December.
"This new orchid species has undergone unique evolutionary adaptation, drastically reducing its leaf organs. Consequently, essential physiological processes, such as photosynthesis, are primarily carried out by its roots," Metusala explained.
"This unique adaptation offers opportunities for further biological research," he added.
The term "leafless orchid" refers to the absence of leaf organs throughout the orchid's life cycle. The genus Chiloschista is a prominent example of this adaptation.
First described in 1832, the genus now encompasses 30 species distributed across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia. In Indonesia, these orchids are often referred to as "root orchids" due to their resemblance to a cluster of greenish roots.
Prior to the latest discovery, only four species of root orchids were known to exist in Indonesia in Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands, Sulawesi, and the Maluku Islands. The finding marks the first recorded presence of Chiloschista orchids in Sumatra.
The research on "A new species of genus Chiloschista (Aeridinae, Vandeae, Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae) from Sumatra Island, Indonesia" has been published in the journal PhytoKeys: Destario Metusala (2025).
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Translator: Sean Filo Muhamad, Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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