Summary
A plant called Ptilotus senarius, thought to be extinct for nearly 60 years, was found in a remote part of Queensland, Australia. The discovery happened thanks to a photo uploaded to a digital science platform called iNaturalist, which helps people share and identify plant and animal sightings. This event shows how technology can play a big role in biodiversity and conservation efforts.
Key Facts
- Ptilotus senarius had not been recorded since 1967.
- The plant was found on private land in the Gilbert River region of Queensland, Australia.
- Horticulturalist Aaron Bean uploaded photos of the plant to iNaturalist in June 2025.
- Botanists confirmed the plant's identity from the photos and a collected specimen.
- iNaturalist is a citizen science platform with over 104 million plant photographs.
- The platform helps connect amateur sightings with experts worldwide.
- The rediscovery highlights the importance of digital platforms in conservation work.
- The plant's population size and long-term survival still need assessment.
