Citizen Scientist Discovers and Names Three New Native Orchid Species

It is the middle of winter and Robert Mitchell is snapping photos of flora in Frankston.

It is an obsession that started during Melbourne's COVID lockdowns, in the warmer months, when this same reserve was in bloom.

"I took up orchid hunting basically," he said.

Australia has about 1,800 native orchid species, and more than 400 are native to Victoria.

The professional beer microbiologist posted his photos to the citizen scientist website iNaturalist, so the community could tell him what they were.

Some could not be identified.

Ever inquisitive, Mr Mitchell has worked with agencies like the Royal Botanic Gardens of Victoria over the years to get official permits, gather samples and undertake DNA analysis.

Long story short, his persistence paid off.

"It's quite cool."

Fragile flowers a chance find

While there are hundreds of native orchid species, they are fragile, and many are found nowhere else on the planet.

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria director and chief executive Chris Russell said many of the state's orchids could disappear.

"They are exquisitely beautiful plants, very delicate and need very specific growing requirements," he said.

So, to uncover new species is exciting for scientists.

And Mr Mitchell used his scientific background to write a newly published paper on the flowers, naming three.

Each species has a scientific name that hints at what Mr Mitchell saw in the bloom.

"The first is Theltymitra serpintina," he said.

"A very tall sun orchid. It sort of looks like a snake head."

"The next is Thelymitra asperifolia. Asprey means rough, and folia means leaf. So this has this micro abrasive surface."

And finally, his favourite.

"Thelymitra aurorae, that is named for my favourite artist, the Norwegian artist Aurora," he said.

"The flower kind of resembles her in flower terms.

"It has these blue spots and she has blue eyes, and it has these pink trichomes, and she has these streaks of pink make up."

The scientific world hopes more can be found soon.

Citizen scientists are 'eyes and ears on the ground'

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Victoria has the biggest orchid conservation program in the world.

Mr Russell said the flowers that have been recognised can now be nurtured and protected.

"It is a group of plants that is highly vulnerable, so identifying flowers is essential," he said.

"Citizen scientists are really expert naturalists. They are the eyes and ears on the ground to observe change over time, observe new plants."

Mr Mitchell is committed to recording and conserving the delicate plants.

He walks the same areas multiple times a week in warmer months, and monthly in winter.

"We've got these natural reserves that have amazing plants and animals out there," he said.

"You never know what you might come across.

"That's the new approach to science, just get out there, and hopefully we can prevent [things] from going extinct."