A hobby botanist has discovered a species of orchid in Britain that has not been seen in the wild for 15 years. The exact location where the plant grows remains a closely guarded secret.

“I estimate that only six people in Britain have knowingly observed it in the wild,” said Ian Denholm. He is a national expert on orchids for the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) and speaks about the “Ghost Orchid” (Epipogium aphyllum), often referred to as the “holy grail” for British botanists.

What makes this plant special? According to the BSBI, since 2009, it was considered the country’s rarest wild orchid, practically vanished. However, in early August, a dentist and orchid enthusiast rediscovered it. The finder, Richard Bate, who is also a member of the organization, spent 30 years scouring deep, dark forests, always hoping to catch a glimpse of this rare flower, as reported by the “Guardian.”

A Coveted Plant

“This is an outstanding discovery and a fitting reward for his years of meticulous searching,” said Kevin Walker, the BSBI’s scientific director. “Anyone who has ever tried and failed to see this enigmatic plant knows how much skill and luck is required to find it. It is incredibly difficult to spot and often only survives for a few hours or days, as it is eagerly hunted by various creatures, from slugs to deer.”

For scientists, this discovery now comes with a responsibility: they aim to protect the find from these animals and from poachers, according to the report. This requires secrecy—the location must be kept confidential. The plant has delicate underground parts that could be damaged by humans.