The Kew's who of plants and fungi

Spider killer among top 10 newly described species

- BY FRANCES MILLAR

A “BLOODSTAINED” orchid and a “zombie” spider-killing fungus are among the top 10 plant and fungi species newly described by science in 2025.

The annual list, compiled by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and international scientists, also includes a New Guinean tree with fruit which tastes of banana, guava and eucalyptus.

Over the past year alone, Kew formally described 125 new plant species and 65 fungi worldwide.