Thelymitra cyanapicata, the blue-top sun orchid. A critically endangered orchid from South Australia. It’s only found in 1 place in the world. There are just 3 wild populations of this flower, with fewer than 150 flowering adults.
This swampy woodland flower also has an edible underground tuber, and was once a traditional food source for local indigenous people. Like many endangered plants, it’s threatened by habitat loss and the use of fertilisers and pesticides.
(Image credit: Bob Bates)
@InvaderXan Call it a superfood.
@Surasanji
Getting rich people to exploit something is not the same as protecting its natural habitat.
@InvaderXan Of course it isn't, but it would save an endangered plant.
@Surasanji
Perhaps. Though I’d question the cost involved.
Mind you, it is notable that Venus flytraps have been essentially saved from extinction, despite only having one wild habitat, purely by virtue of being cool. Even if most people kill them with improper care.
@InvaderXan We might not be able to save the environments. Hopefully we can save at least something of them.
@InvaderXan True. The fact is we've reached a point where a lot of things are going to die. We're in the midst of a human caused mass-extinction event. We gotta save what we can however we can.
@InvaderXan If you do that, monetize it, it will not be endangered anymore.