Download
Rare orchid species discovered in China's Tibet
CGTN

Scientists have found a rare orchid species, named Chiloschista densiflora, in Metok County of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The discovery has been published in the journal Phytotaxa.

Rare orchid species discovered in China's Tibet
Rare orchid species discovered in China's Tibet
Rare orchid species discovered in China's Tibet

The orchid is characterized by a middle lobe with a pubescent callus ranging from base to apex, two conical calli at base, and a short and stocky column, said the paper's abstract.

Jin Xiaohua, researcher with the Institute of Botany under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that such an orchid was first discovered in Bhutan, and only Metok County is known to host this species in China.

The floral structure of a rare orchid species, named Chiloschista densiflora, found in Metok County, Tibet, March 2023.
The floral structure of a rare orchid species, named Chiloschista densiflora, found in Metok County, Tibet, March 2023.

The floral structure of a rare orchid species, named Chiloschista densiflora, found in Metok County, Tibet, March 2023.

Metok County has a huge distinction in terms of vertical elevation, straddling a slew of different climate and vegetation zones, with diverse flora and fauna, which provides favorable conditions for the growth of orchids. The results showed that Metok is among the nine counties considered hotspots for orchids in China, Jin said.

(All photos courtesy of Jin Xiaohua)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency

Search Trends