The Science Life Plants

A hunt for fungi might bring this orchid back from the brink

If the work is a success, scientists could possibly regrow the species in the wild

A Cooper's black orchid growing in a forest

Cooper’s black orchid, a rare, critically endangered species found only in New Zealand, relies on fungi for the nutrients it needs to sprout. Scientists are working to identify the fungi to prevent the flowers from dying out.

Kathy Warburton/inaturalist (CC BY 4.0)

By Rina Diane Caballar

If you ever come across a Cooper’s black orchid in the wild, you probably would mistake it for a stick — or perhaps an odd potato if you dig a little underneath it.