A rare, leafless orchid species known as Chamaegastrodia vaginata, or the “ghost orchid,” has been rediscovered in Meghalaya after 175 years, making it a significant botanical find. This discovery, validated by scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and published in the journal Vegetos, took place during field surveys aimed at studying parasitic angiosperms in the region. The orchid was located in Lawsohtun, Upper Shillong, and its identification was confirmed through comparisons with historical botanical records and type materials from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Originally collected in 1850 from the Khasi Hills by prominent botanists J.D. Hooker and Thomas Thomson, this orchid species had not been noted in India since then, leading to concerns about its potential extinction. Chamaegastrodia vaginata is distinct as it is leafless, lacking chlorophyll, surviving instead through mycoheterotrophy—drawing nutrients from underground fungi related to decomposing organic matter in forest soil. This unique adaptation makes the plant particularly vulnerable to habitat disturbances.
The rediscovery of the orchid underscores critical conservation issues, with fewer than 25 mature individuals recorded, restricted to a mere 20 square meters. The species is thus provisionally classified as Critically Endangered in India and is known to exist solely within Meghalaya, creating a pressing conservation obligation for the region.
The ghost orchid has been found at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 1,650 meters in damp, disturbed evergreen broad-leaved forests, typically growing beneath a canopy that includes tree species like Pinus kesiya, Castanopsis, Schima wallichii, and Litsea. Threats to its survival include rapid urban development, habitat degradation, and unregulated tourism in Upper Shillong, all of which could jeopardize this fragile population. Minor changes to soil composition or forest cover could endanger the remaining plants. Globally, Chamaegastrodia vaginata is only reported from India and China, making its survival in the Khasi Hills crucial for the preservation of this rare species.