April 10 (UPI) -- Researchers in Japan have identified two new orchid species on the island of Okinawa. Scientists described the new species, Gastrodia nipponicoides and Gastrodia okinawensis, in the journal Phytotaxa.
The orchids species are parasitic plants called mycoheterotrophs, which steal their nutrients from host fungi -- no photosynthesis necessary. Mycoheterotrophs can only thrive in extremely fertile forests, where plant food is abundant and theft is tolerated.