In the Summerhill State Forest of Ithaca, New York, something exciting happened in the summer of 2023. Justin Scholten, a plant hybridization Ph.D. student at Cornell University, was out exploring. He was looking at plants and snapping pictures when he stumbled upon a unique sight—a pink baneberry.
“I had to look closer,” he remembered. At that moment, he didn’t know this plant would turn out to be a new species. The pink baneberry grows low to the ground, bearing attractive, small pink berries. However, it’s essential to note that all parts of this plant are toxic.
Initially, Scholten thought he had found a hybrid—a mix of white baneberry and red baneberry. But as he examined the plant, he noticed something unusual. The stalk resembled the white baneberry, not the others. “I was excited because it seemed likely this was either a hybrid or a new species,” he said.
Natural hybridization, the process where different species interbreed, is fascinating yet challenging. Scholten described it as a “taxonomic nightmare” that complicates how scientists define various species. To confirm his hypothesis, he marked the pink baneberry populations and planned to return when the plants flowered in early May.
A year later, he returned to find that his initial assumptions might be wrong. The reproductive structures of the pink baneberry didn’t match those of its supposed parent species. The stigma was red, unlike the white stigmas of white and red baneberries. Even the pollinators were different. While sweat bees pollinate all three species, the pink baneberry attracted green non-biting midges, which prefer citrus scents. “This suggests that floral scents play a significant role in reproductive isolation,” he explained.
Subsequent genetic testing confirmed Scholten’s suspicions: he had discovered a new species, named Actaea rhodostigma. This finding was notable, marking the first new species identified in New York in a decade.
Scholten’s passion for plants began in childhood. He used to germinate pepper seeds and ended up building a makeshift greenhouse. “My interest really flourished,” he said, leading him eventually to Cornell University.
While Scholten celebrated this discovery, he emphasized that it wasn’t a solo effort. He acknowledged his advisor, Professor Chelsea Specht, and Cornell undergraduate Ariana Springer as crucial contributors. Their collaboration underscored the collective nature of scientific discovery.
Since Actaea rhodostigma’s findings were published in The Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society, enthusiasts have reported it on platforms like iNaturalist, with sightings now extending from Tennessee to Ontario, Canada.
However, the climate crisis poses a significant challenge. Early springs can cause plants to emerge too soon, making them vulnerable to frost. This year, Scholten observed the growth of baneberries was indeed affected. If flowers and pollinators don’t align due to climate shifts, plants may face decreased pollination success. “Timing is everything,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Scholten is optimistic. He encourages everyone to explore and identify plants. “There are likely many more undiscovered species out there, just waiting to be found,” he said.
Discovering new species enriches our understanding of biodiversity and ecosystems. As more people engage with nature, we might uncover even more hidden gems in our forests.
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