Believed to be extinct, this rare orchid was even found growing on office roofs

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Serapias parviflora. [Daily Mail/Nomura]

Suara.com – A rare orchid believed to have been extinct in the UK for more than a decade has been found growing on the roof of an office in London.

This condition makes scientists confused how the plant can grow there.

Serapias parviflora was found growing in a garden on the 11th floor of Japanese investment bank Nomura International in London.

Scientists suspect the seedlings got there due to a Sahara dust storm.

The species known as the small-flowered tongue orchid was first discovered in Cornwall in 1989, but died 20 years later.

This plant is usually found in the Mediterranean, France, Spain and Portugal, not in the English capital districts.

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Serapias parviflora. [Wikipedia]

However, experts think the urban heat effect involving higher temperatures in cities, versus the surrounding landscape could help plants thrive.

Researchers say the dry, arid heat above London’s tall buildings could lead to more Mediterranean species growing in the capital.

Orchids that grow on office roofs are about 30 cm long and usually have between three and 12 small orange flowers.

According to ecologist Mark Patterson, orchid seeds likely travel great distances by wind.

“Once settled on the roof of Nomura, the seeds will enter into a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi that allows the plant to germinate and grow,” says Patterson. Daily mail, Wednesday (16/6/2021).

However, Patterson says there are other possibilities, such as soil containing seeds or young plants being brought to the roof more than a decade ago.

This species of orchid takes years to mature when grown in poor, dry soil conditions.

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Orchid illustration. [Shutterstock]

This may explain why this plant is only blooming now.

Serapias parviflora blooms from March to early May. This is not the first time a rare orchid has been found on the office roof.

Three years ago, Patterson also discovered the largest colony of green-winged orchids on the roof of a building on Carnaby Street.

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