New species discovered on 'sacred rock' in Australia

The Australian team of scientists describe it as a "once-in-a-lifetime" discovery. The new plant species was named Ficus desertorum, or "desert fig". It was formerly thought to belong to a taxonomy of Ficus branchypoda, a plant found abundantly in northern and central Australia. However, new analysis shows that this is a species that has never been recognized by science.

Australia's sacred rock Uluru - Photo: Ondrej Machart

According to botanist Russell Barrett from the National Herbology Service in New South Wales (Australia), morphological analysis shows this new species - found on top of Australia's giant sacred rock Uluru. 

According to Science Alert, Uluru looks like a small mountain, characterized by a mysterious red color, has a completely arid top and is itself located in the middle of a desert wilderness. Despite everything, the mysterious plant still thrives with its cool green color and characteristic small yellow fruits atop the rock, where almost no living thing can live.

Close-up of newly discovered species - Photo: Australian Institute of Plant Science

According to scientists, the new species belongs to a family of sacred plants that the indigenous people of Australia since time immemorial have used for food and in some spiritual rituals. Destruction of this tree was once punished with death.

The mysterious plant has roots that go deep into the tiny cracks of the rock to find a precious source of water. Bushes are shelters for many small animals such as birds and snails. The good news is that many of these strange bushes are also found on rocky outcrops and around some oases in the desert. 

The study has just been published in the scientific journal Telopea.