“Local botanists have discovered a new plant that’s unique to the Upstate.
The plant, named Shealy’s Saxifrage, was found at theNine Times Preserve in Pickens County. The flower was discovered by botanists Patrick McMillan, Laary Cushman and Vincent Richards. It’s the only known population of the flower in the entire world.
‘It’s a very cool thing and it shows you that there’s still a lot left to be discovered right here on planet Earth,’ Greg Lucas, education and outreach at South Carolina of Department of Natural Resources said.
The flower was named after long time professor Dr. Harry Shealy at University of South Carolina- Aiken for his significant contributions and impact on the field of Botany.
‘I feel honored and humbled,’ Dr. Shealy said, ‘I had an influence in both lives [Cushman and McMillan] so I guess that’s why they decided to do it.’
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources urges nature enthusiasts not to disturb the rare plant community. Instead, they said it is best observed and appreciated from a distance.”
View the wholes story here: https://www.wspa.com/news/new-flower-species-discovered-in-pickens-county-first-known-sighting-in-the-entire-world/