Lying on the Tropic of Cancer, Taiwan has diverse climates and rugged mountains, making it a cradle for opulent flora. The steep climb in altitude allows peculiar plants to flourish. Among 4,077 vascular plant species in the southeast China island region, 1,067 species are endemic, accounting for 26.2 percent. Next, we are going to see three special flowers living in the unique landform of Taiwan.

Senecio tarokoensis

Around 300 million years ago, long before the island of Taiwan was formed, piles of organic reef made up of coral and calcareous algae accumulated in the continental shelf. These sediments gradually became limestone through time and pressure, and later metamorphosed into marble.

As the island was uplifted from the collision of plates, the erosion of river and rainfall revealed the marble and carved out the spectacular Taroko Gorge in eastern Taiwan. At the limestone mountain of the canyon, senecio tarokoensis endures high calcium level in soil and blooms every May.

This shiny yellow flower like tiny sun lighting up the mountain can only be found in Taroko Park at the altitude of 1,000 to 2,000 meters. Its thickly papery and leathery leaves are in two colors. The upper surface is dark green while the lower side is dark purple. Since the limestone environment is very uncommon, senecio tarokoensis is pretty endangered and rarely seen.

Leontopodium microphyllum

In famous musical The Sound of Music, Edelweiss sung by Captain Georg von Trapp makes the European Edelweiss in the Alps known to more people. The white flower has a relative that only grows in the island's high mountains, which is Leontopodium microphyllum, nicknamed as Taiwan Edelweiss.

As the Ice Age survivor, Taiwan Edelweiss is a tough plant that grows on the precipitous cliffs at the altitude of over 3,000 meters. The blooming period of the flower lasts from June to August. The white fluff on each bract of the plant protects it from coldness. When dew drops fall on the white bracts, the herb seems to be covered with snow or resembles a snowflake.

Barringtonia asiatica

Unlike the two flowers mentioned above, Barringtonia asiatica not only grows in southeast China's Taiwan island, but can also be found in other parts of Asia, and Africa and Oceania because of its drift fruit. The water-resistant fruit is dispersed on ocean currents like a coconut and travels to distant places. Amazingly, the fruit can float in water for up to 15 years.

In Taiwan, Barringtonia asiatica is named as “Qipanjiao”, meaning the supoorting leg of a chess table as its fruit has a similar shape. It usually grows on tropical coasts. To avoid the heat in the daytime, the pinkish-white pompon flowers bloom at night as its pollinators like bats and moths are active at the time.

Even though the flower of Barringtonia asiatica gives off a fragrant smell, all parts of the tree are poisonous. It gets the name of fish poison tree as the fruit is used as a fish poison. Juice from the seeds is also used to seal paper umbrellas and kill parasites.

China's Flora Tour

From the wetlands along the coast to the dense rainforests hidden in the southwest, China boasts an array of plant species. In this series, we will go on a tour to learn about some of the most representative flora in different provinces and see how they live in harmony with the local geography and climate.

(Cover image and illustrations designed by CGTN's Li Yueyun.)

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