Volunteers Hunt Through Dirt to Save Australia's Rarest Orchids
Dozens of volunteers gathered at a small green shed an hour outside Melbourne, rummaging through dirt in search of large root-like tubers from one of Australia's rarest wild orchids. The cold morning work included measuring pot plants, pulling up roots, and checking for hidden specimens. Volunteer Alex McLachlan identified next year's tubers by their white, thick, flush appearance as he showed other volunteers the technique. The purple-flowered orchids with spindly petals release a musky scent as the day heats up, doing their best to attract picky pollinators. The plants rely on specific pollinators and a special fungus to survive.
It takes years of work, dozens of volunteers, picky pollinators and a special fungus to save Australia's endangered orchids, yet people drive from all over the country to do it.
Source: abc.net.au.
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