‘Miracle berry’ that alters taste buds among top 10 plants of 2019

The Cyrtandra vittata was discovered in northern New Guinea. Ten new species of plant and fungi have been highlighted among the 110 discoveries this year by Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Picture: Lynsey Wilson/Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh/PA Wire

A new snowdrop discovered from holiday snaps on Facebook and a “miracle berry” that alters your taste buds are among the plant and fungi species discovered this year.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is highlighting the top 10 weird and wonderful discoveries from 102 species of plant and eight new fungi found by the institution and its partners in 2019.

The discoveries include species which could help develop new medicines, or become fresh favourites for plant lovers - but many are already at risk of extinction from deforestation, agriculture and energy developments, experts at Kew said.

Also among the top 10 new finds are an orchid found in a waterfall which could be wiped out by a hydroelectric dam, a medicinal fungus growing on bamboo, and an orange bloom named after the wife of the botanist who discovered it.