163 orchid species found on Buru Island

163 orchid species found on Buru Island

AMBON, Maluku: A team of seven researchers from the Bogor
Botanical Gardens has found 163 species of orchids in the
mountains of Buru Island in Central Maluku, Antara reported
yesterday.

The news agency said the team spent 16 days in the
northwestern part of the island since earlier this month. The
research aimed to identify and help protect the rare species of
plants in the virgin forests of Buru Island.

"We have even found one species that is almost similar to the
Mucuna orchid, which is found in the hinterlands of Irian Jaya,"
said team leader Didi Supardi. (swe)