The roots may penetrate the soil or sand, but when it comes to the rest of the tree, we usually imagine it visible above the surface. However, this is not the case in the remote sandy Kalahari regions of Angola: scientists in the area have discovered two new species of trees that are almost entirely underground.
Cochlospermum adjanyae belongs to a genus that includes about 16 different tree species. Most of the plant is underground, but its existence is “given away” by its bright yellow flowers, which are visible above the surface (although their flowering has been recorded only once). This species was named in honour of Angolan biologist and conservationist Adjani Costa, who was awarded the 2019 UN Young Earth Champions for Africa Award.
The second species is Baphia arenicola, which means “growing on sand”. Like Cochlospermum adjanyae, the only visible part of the plant is its flowers, which are mostly white with a small yellow triangle at the base. Although B. arenicola is considered a tree, it actually belongs to the leguminous plant family.
