New-Orchid-Species-Discovered
New Orchid Species Discovered In Chile: 4 Fast Facts About Bippinula Gabriel Shutterstock/Ubonwan Poonpracha

There are 53 known species of orchids in Chile -- 27 of which are native to the Latin American country -- and now there's one more to add to the list. Researchers in Chile have discovered a new species of orchid in the Puta region, which is 160 miles (258 kilometers) south of Santiago. EFE reports that the School of Forestry Sciences at Chile's Universidad de Concepcion, led by Pablo Bravo, made their discovery after a four-year study in the region. The finding of the new orchid shows how much potential there could be in finding new specimens.

"Orchids flower every three to five years, so that when they're without flowers it's hard to differentiate the species. But with this new material it will be easier to detect in other areas," said Bravo to EFE.

Earlier this year, a new species of orchid was discovered in Panama belonging to the Lophiaris genus. Named Lophiaris silverarum after the researcher who discovered the flower, Katia Silvera. In Panama, there are believed to be 1,100 known species of the orchid and 30,000 around the world.

"After looking at the plant for a while, he informed us that it was a new species, and that it was very rare," Silvera told Live Science. "The diversity of orchids is best seen in the tropics, where, unfortunately, habitat is being destroyed very fast."

Here are four fast facts about the new orchid species discovered in Chile.

1. The orchid is being dubbed as Bippinula gabriel.

2. The orchid is lemon green in color.

3. The orchid flowers more than most orchids, according to Bravo.

4. The orchid measures 24 inches (60 centimeters).

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