''Gastrodia kuroshimensis'' is an unusual species of plant that was discovered in April 2016.
It is
mycoheterotrophic, meaning that it does not engage in photosynthesis like most plants but obtains energy from its host fungi. It is also
cleistogamous
Cleistogamy is a type of automatic self-pollination of certain plants that can propagate by using non-opening, self-pollinating flowers. Especially well known in peanuts, peas, and pansies, this behavior is most widespread in the grass family. How ...
, meaning that it produces flowers that never open. Since its flowers never open, it is self-fertilizing.
Thus far the species has only been found on the Japanese island of
Kuroshima after which it is named.
Due to its dark habitat and cleistogamous flowers, it is not pollinated by insects, unlike most other species of orchids.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q27331887
Orchids of Japan
kuroshimensis
Plants described in 2016