22 Dec 2009

New species discovered in Mato Grosso, Brazil.

A beautiful passionflower is amongst the species found in some of the country's most threatened habitats.

  • Close Thanks for liking this page. Tell us why by adding a comment at the bottom.
Plant hunting on the Amazon

On expedition at Cristalino on the Brazilian Amazon, where at least eight new plant species have been discovered. (Image: William Milliken, RBG Kew)

Passiflora cristalina is among several new Brazilian species recently discovered by Kew. It is a striking red passionflower with edible egg-shaped fruits and is thought to be pollinated by hummingbirds. Dr Daniela Zappi discovered it during an expedition to the Amazon rainforest in Mato Grosso, Brazil.

The plants in this part of the Amazon are poorly known and threatened by deforestation from cattle farming.

Says Dr Zappi, who also described the plant, “The survey work we have carried out so far is a major step forward in scientific knowledge and is being used by local government agencies to develop a much-needed plan to protect this area.”

Scientific Research & Data

Browse Kew News

Support plant science at Kew

By making a donation to Kew today you can help our scientists to find out more about the fascinating world of plants, break new ground and inspire generations of young people to get to know plants better.

Our scientific programmes are focused on understanding plants and conserving the world's plant life and habitats at risk. Plants are essential to life on earth. In a world where the sustainability of the planet’s rich biodiversity is becoming less certain, Kew’s science work is ever more critical. Find out how your donation can make a difference.

Give now and support Kew’s vital plant science work

No comments on 'New species discovered in Mato Grosso, Brazil.'

Sign up to Kew News

Related Links

Adopt a Seed, Save a Species

Related Tags

  1. discovered
  2. around the world
  3. sustainable
  4. the UK
  5. at risk
  6. challenging
  7. successful
  8. together
  9. powerful
  10. ground breaking
  11. rich
  12. adventurous
  13. endangered
  14. rainforest
  15. uncharted
  16. irreplaceable
  17. needs help
  18. extraordinary
  19. exploited
  20. fragile
  21. urgent
  22. beautiful
  23. english heritage
  24. historical
  25. interesting
  26. rare
  27. inspiring
  28. unusual
  29. rare
  30. verge of extinction
  31. old
  32. ancient
  33. Kew overseas
  34. amazing
  35. creative
  36. imaginative
  37. exotic
  38. innovative
  39. popular
  40. fun
  41. wild
  42. hot spot
  43. woodland
  44. gifts that help

Follow Kew on twitter

Sourced from @KewGardens

News from the Gardens

RSS Feed for the blog Library, Art and Archives blog

Displaying the letters of Augustine Henry

by: Virginia Mills, Library, Art and Archives blog
03 Feb 2012
The Directors' Correspondence team has just put some of the letters of botanist Augustine Henry on display in Kew's Library Reading Room. Find out why we chose him as our subject and how the display brings together material from many of Kew's behind-the-scenes collections.
RSS Feed for the blog Library, Art and Archives blog

Promoting Voices of Oral History in the USA

by: Michele Losse, Library, Art and Archives blog
31 Jan 2012
Michele, Assistant Archivist at Kew, blogs about her experiences at the American Oral History Society's annual conference held in Denver, Colorado, last October.

Kew News Alert

All Kew News