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Enchanting Hainan: A plant kingdom
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Seeds of Vatica mangachapoi. /CMG
Situated on the island province of Hainan in south China, the Hainan tropical rainforest boasts the country's most concentrated, best-preserved, and extensive tropical rainforest. With over 4,300 plant species, more than 400 of them are endemic to the island.
One such unique species is the Vatica mangachapoi, a tropical lowland rainforest tree exclusively found in Hainan, China. What makes it special is that it produces helicopter seeds or winged seeds. The seeds are surrounded by a pair of papery wings that, when the wind blows, carry the seeds farther away than most other fruit seeds.
Rhynchostylis gigantea. /CMG
Rhynchostylis gigantea. /CMG
Another standout is the Rhynchostylis gigantea, also known as the "fox tail" orchid due to its long tapering inflorescence. The orchid mostly attaches to the forest at an altitude of 300 to 1,400 meters. Although they are widely distributed in tropical areas, they can only be found in Hainan.
Oreocharis hainanensis. /CMG
Oreocharis hainanensis. /CMG
As a new species named in April 2022, Oreocharis hainanensis is endemic to Hainan. Unlike other plants, this one has evolved hairy leaves to preserve moisture so that it can adapt to arid habitats with mostly limestone.
Ren Mingxun, a professor from Hainan University's School of Ecology and Environment, emphasizes the significance of limestone landscapes in fostering plant diversity.
"There may be many unknown species in the Hainan tropical rainforest waiting for us to explore and discover," Ren said.
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Copyright © 2023 CGTN. 京ICP备16065310号
Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466