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)