Chinese researchers have discovered a new but highly-endangered species of snow lotus in Wolong National Nature Reserve (WNNR) in the southwestern province of Sichuan.

The snow lotus, named Saussurea balangshanensis, was spotted in the alpine zone at an altitude of 4,400-4,700 meters in the reserve, said researchers with the Kunming Institute of Botany under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The plant is quite different from other known species of snow lotus and has a pungently-fragrant smell, explained Zhang Yazhou, a researcher with the institute.

The research team conducted separate investigations and determined that fewer than 500 such plants remain, and Balang Mountain is the only home for the flower. It is therefore extremely endangered, said Zhang.

"The Balang Mountain snow lotus has a very limited colony, which results in a singular genetic feature and makes it extremely vulnerable," he said.

Its habitat is close to a highway so it needs urgent protection, he said.

The nature reserve has limited human activity near where the plants grow and is making further plans for conservation, said Duan Zhaogang, an official with the reserve's administration.

(Top image courtesy of WNNR)

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