The Arfak Mountains have reaffirmed their position as a biodiversity paradise with the discovery of a new orchid species called Bulbophyllum sandfordiorum.
Quoted from Mongabay Indonesia, this discovery occurred at an altitude of around 1,300 meters above sea level and has been officially reported in the international journal Kew Bulletin on March 25, 2025.
This discovery is part of the orchid exploration carried out in the Bird’s Head peninsula of Papua from February to March 2024.
During the expedition, researchers managed to document 214 orchid species. Eight of them are candidates for new species, with two species including Bulbophyllum sandfordiorum whose reports have been published.
In addition, 15 rare species that were previously difficult to find were also successfully re-documented.
This discovery highlights the importance of conservation areas such as the Arfak Mountains Nature Reserve and the South Tamrau Mountains Nature Reserve as the main centres of biodiversity in the Bird’s Head peninsula of Papua.
Both areas have proven to be important habitats for endemic flora, especially orchids, which are icons of Papua’s natural wealth.
The Bulbophyllum genus itself is the largest group of orchids in Papua, with around 690 known species.
The name sandfordiorum was taken to honor the late Elodie Sandford—an inspiring figure known for her dedication to encouraging young explorers and amateur photographers to get involved in exploration and innovation projects.
This discovery confirms that Papua, especially the Bird’s Head peninsula, has a lot of biodiversity potential that still needs to be explored and preserved.
https://rri.co.id/wisata/1457970/ditemukan-anggrek-jenis-baru-di-papua-barat
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