Scientists rediscover rare plants thought extinct in Brazil for more than 30 years

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Scientists rediscover rare plants thought extinct in Brazil for more than 30 years

17.08.26

Scientists rediscover rare plants thought extinct in Brazil for more than 30 years

The return of two endemic species in Minas Gerais highlights the hidden biodiversity of the Iron Quadrangle and opens new paths for conservation research

Photo source: Jacob Wackerhausen / iStock

Brazilian researchers have rediscovered rare plant species in Minas Gerais that had not been recorded in the wild for more than three decades, providing new evidence of the region's exceptional biodiversity and creating fresh opportunities for their conservation, as reported by
Agência Brasil.

The discoveries were made in the Iron Quadrangle (Quadrilátero Ferrífero), a mineral-rich region in southeastern Brazil known for its distinctive vegetation growing on iron-rich soils. Researchers searching specifically for rare and endemic species located populations of plants that had long been considered potentially extinct in the wild.

Among the most significant findings are Paepalanthus magalhaesii and Coracoralina amoena, two endemic species commonly associated with Brazil's sempre-vivas vegetation, whose flowers retain their appearance after drying.

Researchers found Paepalanthus magalhaesii in protected areas between the municipalities of Itabirito, Rio Acima and Ouro Preto. The small plant grows close to the ground among rocks and is found naturally only in the Iron Quadrangle.

Coracoralina amoena is even more specialised. It survives in rocky habitats with thin soils, intense sunlight and limited water availability for much of the year. The species had previously been described in scientific literature as potentially extinct in the wild.

The rediscoveries are part of a conservation project focused on rare and endemic plants of the Iron Quadrangle. Researchers are conducting field surveys to locate species that have disappeared from scientific records and assess the condition of their remaining populations.

The findings could have implications beyond the conservation of individual species. Specialists say the plants' ability to withstand high temperatures, water stress and other harsh environmental conditions could make them valuable subjects for research in genetics, biotechnology and pharmacology.

Following their collection, plant material is being examined through genetic sequencing and other laboratory studies. Researchers are also developing propagation techniques that could eventually allow seedlings to be reintroduced into suitable natural habitats.

The project aims to address major gaps in scientific knowledge about these species, including their genetics, reproduction and ecological requirements. Reference specimens will also be preserved in scientific collections to support future research and identification.

Researchers expect further fieldwork to uncover additional populations of species that have not been observed for decades, as well as potentially identify plants that have not yet been documented by science.