Recently, an outdoor enthusiast in Shaoguan discovered clusters of rare saprophytic plants in the primeval forest halfway up Wanshi Mountain (万时山), located at the junction of Guangdong, Hunan, and Jiangxi provinces. The plants are entirely white and closely resemble ghost pipe (Monotropa uniflora), marking the first publicly reported sighting of such a species in this area.
The suspected ghost pipe grows in undisturbed forests rich in leaf litter and suitable humidity. Lacking chlorophyll, it cannot perform photosynthesis and instead obtains nutrients through symbiosis with specific fungi. Its translucent white appearance and orchid-like form have earned it the nickname "ghost flower."
According to science experts, ghost pipe belongs to the genus Monotropa in the family Ericaceae (formerly classified under Pyrolaceae). It is listed as Near Threatened (NT) in the Red List of China's Biodiversity. The plant has extremely strict habitat requirements, surviving only in high-altitude forests with pristine ecological conditions, no pollution, and abundant humus. Its flowering period is brief—lasting just over 40 days annually—while for the rest of the year it remains hidden beneath layers of decaying leaves, making it difficult to detect.
Another rare saprophytic plant in the same category, Danxiaorchis singchiana, is an endemic species of Danxia Mountain and is critically endangered. It belongs to the genus Danxiaorchis in the family Orchidaceae and is listed as a National Class II Protected Plant in China, with fewer than 100 individuals remaining worldwide. Adapted to elevations between 100 and 200 meters, it exhibits a unique "mobile growth" pattern—disappearing from one location one year and reappearing nearby the next. The expansion of its range and population is a direct reflection of the continuous improvement of the ecological environment in and around Danxia Mountain. The species is highly elusive, has a short flowering period, and remains extremely difficult to cultivate artificially.
Wanshi Mountain is also one of the sources of the Jinjiang River—the "mother river" of Danxia Mountain. As the namesake site of the globally recognized Danxia landform, Danxia Mountain's unique geography has fostered remarkable biodiversity. To date, 57 new species have been discovered in the area, spanning plants, fungi, insects, and more, making it a natural sanctuary for biodiversity.
Author | Liu Yue
Photo | Nanfang Plus
