Discovered a new rare flowering plant in Fiji

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on January 20 said scientists discovered a new flowering plant belonging to the rare Medinilla on Fiji's Kadavu island.

IUCN spokeswoman Ewa Ewa Magiera told AFP: "Although this plant was first found in August 2010, it took a long time to confirm it."

The species was discovered during a biodiversity assessment in Nakasaleka district, conducted under IUCN's Water and Natural Initiative (WANI) program.

According to IUCN, about 193 species of Medinilla are known in Madagascar, Africa, South Asia and Fiji.

Only 11 species are found in this Pacific island, among them Tagimoucia, Fiji's iconic flower.