Local science students will present a remarkable research collection of rare plants from South America to the public for the first time at the Writhlington School Orchid Festival this Saturday, 10th September.

Hannah Rhymes, one of the students working with the plants, explained: “I will be carrying out DNA analysis and working with scientists in Germany, the UK and the USA to help identify relationships between the species.”

Teacher, Simon Pugh-Jones, added: “The plants are species of Gongora, exotic orchids from South and Central America, that have puzzled botanists for centuries.

“Students at the Mendip Studio School will link with partner scientists at Kew Gardens, Munich and the University of Houston and carry out genetic analysis using DNA from the plants.”

The research collection is the largest of its kind in the UK and was donated to the Writhlington School Orchid Project earlier this year by horticulturist, Richard Hartley.

The Orchid Festival, which runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., will also feature orchid displays from across South West England and a chance to buy orchids from a specialist international nursery.