Rhizanthella is one of nature’s most remarkable orchids — a plant that spends its entire life hidden beneath the soil. Lacking leaves and relying entirely on a symbiotic fungus for survival, it draws nutrients from the fungus, which in turn connects to the roots of the broom bush (Melaleuca uncinata) to access food from the surrounding soil.
First discovered in 1928 by a farmer ploughing his field in Western Australia, Rhizanthella immediately captured global scientific attention. Nearly a century later, it remains exceptionally elusive. Finding one involves locating the right habitat and carefully brushing away soil to uncover its underground blooms — tiny reddish flowers enclosed in pale pink bracts. The blossoms emit a rich vanilla-like fragrance and are believed to be pollinated by termites or small flies.
There are only five known species of Rhizanthella, all ranking among the rarest orchids on Earth. With their limited populations, they face an acute risk of extinction due to habitat loss and drought intensified by climate change.
To prevent their disappearance, botanist Kingsley Dixon from the University of Western Australia is leading an effort to conserve the species. His team is cultivating the orchid’s symbiotic fungus alongside orchid seeds in laboratory conditions before transplanting them onto Melaleuca bushes grown in pots — an innovative approach aimed at giving this hidden marvel a future above extinction.
