New plant species with lemon fragrance discovered in China's Guizhou

A new plant species with a lemon fragrance, named Neocinnamomum citratum, has been discovered in the limestone mountainous area within Xingyi Global Geopark in southwest China's Guizhou Province.

The finding was made by researchers from the academy of agricultural and forestry sciences of Qianxinan in Guizhou and published in the latest issue of the international plant taxonomy journal PhytoKeys.

The plant emits a strong lemon-like scent, initially mistaken for lemon trees, according to the research team. The plant's distinct aroma and morphological traits distinguish it from known species, said the team.

It thrives in evergreen forests at altitudes of 1,000 to 1,300 meters, with over 100 individuals identified across five locations.

Local villagers have long collected its leaves and branches as a culinary spice, suggesting that it may have other potential applications in food flavoring, said the researchers.

The discovery enriches China's plant diversity records and highlights the ecological uniqueness of Xingyi Global Geopark, which was added to UNESCO's Global Geoparks Network in March 2024 for its Triassic fossil sites and karst landscapes.