Heteranthocidium universitas-lodziensis is a newly discovered species of orchid, named after the University of Lodz (UŁ). The orchid was discovered by Prof. of UŁ, Dr Marta Kolanowska from the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection of the University of Lodz and her colleagues during works carried out in Ecuador in 2018.

Heteranthocidium universitas-lodziensis is an endemic taxa, currently known only from the province of Morona-Santiago, where it grows at an altitude of about 1350 m a.s.l. This Andean orchid produces a very long inflorescence composed of numerous brown-yellow flowers.

The name of the new orchid is an expression of recognition for the effort made by the authorities of the University of Lodz for the development of Polish tropical research. The intensification of their scientists’ activities in areas characterized by enormous biodiversity is particularly important in the context of the increase of the rate of species extinction and the rapid deforestation observed in the equatorial zone – said Prof. Marta Kolanowska.
The article with a description of the new species was published in the journal Phyton: http://www.uni.lodz.pl/plik/11200/967f66d057654f32ea8528493bafa83f