Officials with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department have confirmed a population of the small whorled pogonia, Isotria medioloides, has been found growing in the state. This federally threatened orchid has been reported in the eastern US and Ontario, including Maine and New Hampshire, but had not been seen in Vermont since 1902 and was believed extirpated.
The Department was alerted by local botanists using the community science app iNaturalist which allows users to share their observations with fellow naturalists. To learn more about this exciting rediscovery, here's the official press release.