A rare plant was discovered in southern Israel this week, some 60 years after it was believed it was extinct.
The Halocnemum strobilaceum shrub was found near Kibbutz Yotvata, but it seems to be in danger again – from a future railway track.
According to a recently approved zoning plan, the new direct Tel Aviv–Eilat railway track is slated to run right through the shrub's habitat.
The Israel Nature and National Parks Service said that the discovery of the Halocnemum strobilaceum "is a very important botanical find, which great importance to the preservation of nature."
The shrub was found in the Yotvata natural reserve's salt flat. Such areas are usually greenery-thin, as the high concentration of salt impeded the growth of plant-life.
According to Yedioth Ahronoth, the Nature and National Parks Service is currently trying to devise a way to minimize the impact on the shrub's habitat.