The China tuliptree is endemic to China. It is thus called because the flowers resemble the tulip.

Also, the leaves are in the shape of the Chinese jacket, hence another common name "Magua Mu", literally "Chinese jacket tree" in Chinese.

The genus has a history of over 100 million years. It had a wide distribution in the North Hemisphere during the Tertiary Period. After the Quaternary glaciation, they only grow in southern China and North America.

The species inhabits mountainous forests or forest margins at an altitude of 900-1,000 meters.

With a low germination rate, it is also threatened by deforestation.

China's Flora Tour: A glance at the gesneria in SW China karst forest

China's Flora Tour: The curative powers of the 'seven leaves, one flower' plant

China's Flora Tour: The harbinger of spring on Mount Fanjing

China's Flora Tour: Elegant orchids bloom in the deep valley

(Cover photo is taken by CGTN Nature film crew, designed by CGTN's Fan Chenxiao)

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