Discovered by researchers from the Poland's University of Gdansk, Dr. Marta Kolanowska and Prof. Dariusz Szlachetko, the unique species of orchids was named after its demonic patterns — Telipogon diabolicus. A population of about 30 relatively small flowers was found growing on a small patch of land on the border between two Colombian departments, Putumayo and Nariño. Characterized by translucent clawed petals with reddish veins and a dark violet-maroon middle in a shape of beast's head, the plants are only about 10-15 cm high.
With its only known habitat restricted to a single population in the Colombian forest, the diabolical orchid was immediately assigned as a Critically Endangered species in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. According to the scientists, the possibility of the species' extinction is quite high, as the Colombian government is building a new road in this area.