The unusual part of this discovery is that the species did not spread to northern area, but rather evolved there on its own.
In a statement from the University of Stirling, Dr. Vallejo-Marin said, "Usually a species forms once in a particular location then spreads to other regions. In this case, the opposite has occurred as the same species has evolved multiple times in different places. It shows that when the conditions are right, the origin of species is a repeatable phenomenon."
He named the species Mimulus peregrinus, which means "foreigner." It's a hybrid plant which, are normally infertile, however this variation doubled its DNA to evolve a second time in another location.
Dr. Vallejo-Marin likened the witnessing the birth of the new flower to being able to see the Big Bang in its infancy.
(Source: University of Sterling, Science Daily)