Drone discovers hidden Hawaiian plant species

The same types of consumer-grade hobby drones heard buzzing overhead at the beach may play a key role in uncovering the Earth's remaining hidden species. For the first time, researchers recently used such a drone to discover and describe a new species of carnation hanging off of towering vertical cliffs in Hawaii. The revelation was made possible thanks to rapid advancements in drone sensor technology and a new, custom-designed claw-like plant extraction device. Details of the discovery were published this week in open access journal PhytoKeys. The newly described carnation, called Schiedea waiahuluensis, was spotted hanging off cliffs in the Waiahulu region of Hawaii's Kauaʻi island.