A group of Chinese researchers has unveiled a new species of Rhododendron in the lush mountains of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Named Rhododendron yuanbaoshanense, this remarkable discovery marks the first new Rhododendron species published from Guangxi in over two decades.
The findings were recently published in the journal Phytotaxa, as announced by the forestry and landscaping bureau of Liuzhou, a city in Guangxi. Standing at a height of 1 to 2 meters, Rhododendron yuanbaoshanense is distinguished by its broadly ovate to orbicular leaves with a unique cordate-auriculate base. Its blossoms, ranging from pink to pale pinkish-purple, boast funnelform-campanulate to campanulate corollas that set it apart from other species within the genus.
The initial discovery was made in 2021 by researchers from the Liuzhou Forestry Research Institute during a plant resource survey near the Guangxi Yuanbaoshan National Nature Reserve. “We found an undescribed species of Rhododendron that caught our attention,” said Deng Yihui, a researcher at the institute and co-author of the study.
Collaborating with experts from the Kunming Institute of Botany under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Guangxi Institute of Botany, the team embarked on a two-year research project. Their extensive studies confirmed that this species was indeed different from any previously described Rhododendron species.
Over 80 individual plants of Rhododendron yuanbaoshanense have been discovered near the Yuanbaoshan nature reserve. These plants thrive in the evergreen deciduous broad-leaved mixed forests at elevations of 1,200 to 1,450 meters, showcasing the rich biodiversity of the region. Deng highlighted the ornamental value of the new species and emphasized the importance of its conservation.
This discovery not only enriches the botanical diversity of the Chinese mainland but also underscores the significance of preserving natural habitats. As young people around the world become increasingly aware of environmental issues, such finds inspire a deeper appreciation for nature’s wonders.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
