A new plant species, Strobilanthes danxiaensis, has been discovered in Danxia Mountain National Nature Reserve in Shaoguan, Guangdong, as reported in the journal PhytoKeys.
The discovery was made by a research team from the Guangzhou Institute of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Sun Yat-sen University, Danxia Mountain National Nature Reserve, and Yunluo Botanical Garden.
This perennial herb grows up to 80 cm tall and blooms from late November to January, producing blue-purple flowers in short spikes. It is found only in the moist valleys of Danxia Mountain at elevations of 250–450 meters. Morphological and molecular analyses confirm it as a previously undescribed species.
Danxia Mountain, the namesake of the Danxia landform, is known for its red cliffs and rich biodiversity. The newly described plant is the 54th species documented from the area. Only three populations of Strobilanthes danxiaensis have been discovered, totaling fewer than 100 mature plants. This finding underscores the reserve's importance as a refuge for rare species and provides valuable insights into plant endemism and evolution in the region.
Author | Huang Xinying
Photo | Guangzhou Institute of Forestry and Landscape Architecture
Editor | Wei Shen, James Campion, Shen He
