New to Nature No 29: Mastigostyla torotoroensis

A beautiful new species of iris, Mastigostyla torotoroensis, was discovered by scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew during a Darwin Initiative study of plant endemics of the inter-Andean valleys of Bolivia. The species produces stunning flowers for a brief period near the end of the rainy season in March. Known only from the Torotoro National Park, this species was so variable that it initially appeared that it might represent more than one. This discovery underscores the need for additional fieldwork to assess variation within and among the iris species. Quentin Wheeler is director of the International Institute for Species Exploration, Arizona State University