‘Queen’s hedgehog’ fungus among 2022’s new discoveries recorded by Kew

The world's largest waterlily, a spiny fungus named after the Queen, and a herb that is threatened with extinction by pigeon droppings are among more than 100 plants and fungi recorded as being new to science.

One of the discoveries, a tall tree from Brazil's Atlantic forest, is already considered to be extinct in the world. There are two in five plants that are at risk of extinction.

The scientists said their efforts to name new species was part of a global effort to protect the planet's biodiversity. The complexity of the tree of life as well as potential new sources of food, medicines and further innovation are revealed by the naming of 2,000 new species of plant and fungi each year.

"It's easy to think we have a picture perfect understanding of the natural world and all its plants and fungi, but as these annual lists show us time and time again, we've only really scratched the surface of discovery." We can't stop the biodiversity crisis if we don't know what we're saving.

The Queen's hedgehog, a white mushroom with soft spines beneath the cap, has been found to be a European species and not a North American one. It was named in honor of the queen.

According to Dr Tuula Niskanen, the research leader in the fungal diversity team, there are more than two million species of fungi. She said: "Fungi have remained a mystery to us because their lives are mostly hidden from view and have been challenging to study with traditional techniques." Thanks to the arrival of genetic methods, we have begun to understand the true diversity of this kingdom.

The giant Bolivian waterlily has leaves that measure up to 3.3 metres. Two species of waterlilies were named in the early 19th century and are still popular at botanic gardens. A dried specimen of the giant Bolivian waterlily was kept in the herbarium for more than 170 years before it was discovered as a new species.

The Gomphostemma phetchaburiense is a new species of leafy herb that is found at the mouth of a limestone cave in south- east Asia. A colony of rock pigeons is threatening the plants.

Before it could be officially confirmed as new to science and named, another plant has been deemed extinct. The name of the herb, saxicolella deniseae, was given to it by its collector, who was from West Africa. The Konkouré plant is likely to have vanished due to the construction of a hydroelectric dam that swamped the falls on the lower reaches of the Konkouré.

Ipomoea aequatoriensis is a relatively common weedy flowering plant that was discovered this year. It has been found that it is a progenitor of the sweet potato, which could lead to the breeding of improved strains to benefit mankind.

This is the first thing. A rare European species known in Britain only by its specimen was found in the ancient woodland of White Down. A collaboration of British field mycologists and Kew experts led to the creation of a European species.

There are two One of the 123 environmental activists murdered in Honduras between 2009 and 2016 for opposing the destruction of natural habitats was named after.

There are three. There is a giant waterlily in the wetlands of the Amazon. It was named new to science as a result of a partnership of 16 Bolivian and European botanists.

There are four. A new species of Gomphostemma, which means "garland of nails", has pink- purple flowers.

There are five. A family of herbs known as "orchids of the falls" are adapted to living in aerated white water. Only a few species are found on the water. They are not orchids.

There are six. Ruslan Mishustin of Kherson State University in Ukranian collected the Turkish "winter daffodil" from the seed of an unknown plant in 1997. It took a long time to identify the species. The new species of plants in the Sternbergia genera are known for their anti- inflammatory and anti-oxidant compounds.

There are seven. A new species of Mediterranean bolete was found in Israel and Italy. When damaged or handled, parts of its brown cap turn dark blue.

There are eight. The Banen are the defenders of the forest and wildlife reserve. There was a suspension of logging in 2020 due to protests.

There are nine. The parent species of the well-known sweet potato has remained a mystery but scientists have found the closest relative.

There are ten. The last remnants of Brazil's Mata Atlntica rainforest contain a tree that grows up to 27 metres tall. Three mature trees have been found.