In 2012, botanist Pankaj Kumar observed a group of wild orchids in Southeast Asia, waiting nearly a year for them to bloom and reveal their species. When the delicate flowers finally opened, he faced the difficult task of collecting a specimen for scientific identification, knowing it could harm the rare plant.
Kumar’s work as a researcher affiliated with Florida International University (FIU) and its partner institutions has spanned 25 years and taken him through forests across Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Over his career, he has identified 38 previously unknown orchid species and is currently documenting more.
His research continues in collaboration with Hong Liu, professor in FIU’s Department of Earth and Environment, and Jason Downing, an orchid biologist at Fairchild Tropical Garden, an FIU partner organization. Kumar attributes his success to his fieldwork in taxonomy, photography skills, and artistic ability to illustrate his discoveries.
Kumar’s efforts have faced setbacks. In Laos, he identified a new orchid species in 2013, only to see it declared extinct two years later after lime mining destroyed its habitat. He has also encountered illegal collectors and witnessed the disappearance of species due to habitat loss and overharvesting. In response, he worked with the Laotian government to set up a greenhouse for orchid conservation and added 50 new orchid records during his time there.
Kumar emphasizes the importance of protecting habitats as essential for plant conservation: “You need to conserve the habitat first, if you want to conserve the plant,” he said. “But it’s not so easy in some countries, because they don’t have other options to bring economy to the country.”
Some rare orchids are trafficked illegally and can sell for up to $200 in markets such as the United States. Despite these challenges, Kumar remains dedicated to his work and continues to discover new species during regular hikes through forests in Southeast Asia.
Naming newly discovered orchids sometimes carries personal meaning for Kumar. One species found in India was named after his father, Peristylus sahanii. Other names have honored colleagues or reflected unique characteristics of the plants.
Kumar is committed to mentoring young botanists through his involvement with organizations such as the Botanical Society of America. He says: “If someone is trying to conserve a plant, I’m going to help them. Because that’s a need of the time. Many species are going extinct before they’re even identified. We need these people.”
Reflecting on his own journey into botany—despite family expectations that he study medicine—Kumar hopes his work will inspire future generations to value taxonomy and conservation: “Taxonomists themselves are becoming endangered, and they are an essential part of conservation.”
