A new plant species, Ophiopogon nanlingensis, has been discovered in the candidate area for Nanling National Park in Guangdong.
The discovery was made during a biodiversity survey jointly conducted by the Nanling National Park candidate area and a research team from Sun Yat-sen University. After morphological and anatomical studies, specimen examination and comparison with related species, researchers confirmed the plant as a new species of the genus Ophiopogon. The findings were published in the international journal Phytotaxa on September 4.
The new species is a perennial evergreen herb characterized by densely clustered growth, robust rhizomes and short flower stalks. Its bell-shaped flowers range from white to pale purplish red. It flowers from late April to early May, with seeds maturing in winter.
So far, the species has been found only in the candidate area's Nanling section (Nanling National Nature Reserve), at elevations of 1,550 to 1,650 meters. Field surveys estimate a population of just 150 to 250 mature individuals within an area of about 500 square meters. It has been tentatively assessed as Vulnerable (VU) under the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Author | Huang Xinying
Photos | Nanling National Nature Reserve
