Scientists rediscover rare plant species in Chile's Atacama Desert

Researchers from the Universidad de Concepción and the Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad rediscovered a population of Cryptantha marioricardiana in the Atacama Desert of Chile.

This rare, branched subshrub had not been recorded in the country since 1993. The discovery occurred during a scientific expedition in October to the dunes south of the Parque Nacional Llanos de Challe. The desert experienced its largest blooming period in 30 years during the winter of 2026 due to heavy rains.

The Corporación Nacional Forestal projects that this blooming covers more than 17,000 square kilometers, which accounts for 23% of the Región de Atacama. This event supports over 200 native species, including the newly located Cryptantha marioricardiana. The expedition team, led by Ricardo Segovia and including botanist Sebastián Teillier, identified a healthy population of the plant near a road. Because the plant's growth depends on moisture levels, it often remains hidden from researchers.

Scientists plan to study this specific group to assign it an official conservation status within Chile's species classification system. The findings help researchers document national flora and fill gaps in botanical knowledge. The Herbario CONC at the Universidad de Concepción uses these discoveries to organize and digitize plant records. This data allows experts to identify specific areas in Chile that still lack botanical exploration and prioritize them for future research.