Rare Flowers and Exotic Trees, Precious Plants (Part 1)
Section 1: Rare Flowers and Exotic Trees, Precious Plants — A Rare Mutant Plant First Discovered in Hunan: the Golden Star Fern. On November 22, 1999, a rare plant population unrecorded in botany was discovered in the Daxiong Mountain area of Xinhua County, Hunan. This mysterious plant, whose leaves are covered with golden stars, has no name in botanical dictionaries. Its discoverer, from Central South...
This article has been compiled from historical materials in the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com · City Overview section). Some administrative divisions, population, socioeconomic data, and policy information may be outdated and are for reference only; for the latest situation, please refer to official releases by the local government and scenic areas.
Section One
Rare Flowers and Trees, Precious Plants
A rare mutant plant first discovered in Hunan - Jinxing Fengya Jue
On November 22, 1999, in the Daxiong Mountain area of Xinhua County, Hunan Province, a rare plant population not yet recorded in the botanical field was discovered. This mysterious plant, whose leaves are covered with golden stars, still could not be found by name in botanical dictionaries. Its discoverers, Professor Cao Tieru and Associate Professor Yu Xunlin of the Resource and Environment Teaching and Research Section of Central South Forestry University, named it 'Jinxing Fengya Jue'. The Daxiong Mountain area has more than 1,000 species of seed plants and more than 300 species of ferns. 'Jinxing Fengya Jue' may be a natural genetic mutation produced under this special ecological environment.
A "Living Fossil" Vine Species Astonishingly Found in Hunan — the Ancient Wisteria
An ancient wisteria was discovered in Sangzhi County, Hunan. This ancient wisteria is the first of its kind to appear in China and is also very rare globally. It is a precious ornamental garden vine species endemic to China and also a "living fossil" vine species. It is a key protected wild plant at the national and Hunan provincial levels. This wisteria belongs to the Fabaceae (butterfly-flower family), and its vine age exceeds 200 years. The vine is more than 20 meters tall, with a diameter at breast height of more than 50 centimeters. The crown of the ancient wisteria is twisted and peculiar, with the vine shaped like a dragon's head and phoenix tail, its whole body covered in snake-like scales. It tightly embraces a cypress and stands upright, and when lying on the ground it seems to dance gracefully. It is a wild vine plant.
A Rare National Treasure Gene Bank in the World — the Dove Tree Community
In June 2003, a dove tree community covering more than 2,000 mu was discovered in Sangzhi County, Hunan. This dove tree community is located in Zhujiawan Village, Dagongshan Township, with more than 50,000 individual trees, most over 100 years old and with a circumference at breast height mostly over 2 meters. This is rare in the whole country and even the world. The dove tree is a large deciduous tree, a precious ornamental garden tree species endemic to China, and also a "living fossil" tree species. It is a national first-class key protected plant. At present, the Sangzhi County Forestry Bureau is beginning to erect protection signs at the four boundary locations and assign dedicated personnel to properly manage and protect this "dove tree gene bank."
Hunan's Largest Southern Chinese Yew Community — the Liuyang Redwood Community
In a mountain forest of nearly 3,000 mu at an altitude of about 500 meters in Dachengkeng, Tiancun, Zhangfang Town, Liuyang City, there are more than 20,000 southern Chinese yew trees of various sizes. This yew community is the largest in Hunan and also rare in the country. The southern Chinese yew, also known as beautiful yew, red torreya, and purple yew, is a national first-class key protected wild plant (approved by the State Council on August 4, 1999). It is mainly distributed south of the Yangtze River basin in China, often growing in mountain forests below 1,000-1,200 meters in altitude, in scattered distribution. The southern Chinese yew is a relict plant from the Tertiary Period and is called a "living fossil" in the plant kingdom. Because its resources are scarce, it is listed as a rare tree species in the world for protection.
China's Largest Known National Treasure Dove Tree — the "Dove Tree King" of Badagongshan
On June 9, 2005, the Zhangjiajie Municipal Greening Committee announced to the public that within its territory there are nearly 310,000 ancient and famous trees over 100 years old, of which 2,844 are rare ancient trees under national key protection. According to the deployment of the national and provincial greening committees, the city mobilized 155 technical personnel and began a general survey and certification of ancient and famous trees throughout the city in June 2004. The most precious of these is the "Dove Tree King" growing in Dove Tree Bay of Badagongshan, with a trunk diameter of 1.8 meters, a height of 42 meters, a crown spread of 480 square meters, and a tree age of more than 850 years. It is currently the largest known dove tree in the country.
A New Family in the Earth's Vegetation Types — the Dayong Hornbeam
The hornbeam is a new family in the earth's vegetation types. It was first discovered in 1998 by Professor Lin Yuanwang of Central South Forestry University at Tianmen Mountain and was named "Dayong Hornbeam" by the authoritative institution of the national forestry department. Among them is a thousand-year-old ancient tree known as the "Hornbeam King," whose trunk circumference requires two people to encircle it. Hornbeam wood is hard and can be used for farm tools and furniture, can extract tannin, and its seeds can be pressed for oil. The whole tree is a treasure.
Hunan's No. 1 Ancient Tree — the Ancient Ginkgo of Dong'an
In Luohua Mountain (also called Luohan Mountain), Nanqiao Town, Dong'an County, Yongzhou City, grows an ancient ginkgo with a trunk diameter of 3.84 meters. The crown spread of the ancient tree is 20 meters east-west and 22 meters north-south, and the tree is 20 meters tall. According to research, this ancient ginkgo was planted by the local ancient Yue people during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, about 2,500 years ago, and is called "Hunan's No. 1 Ancient Tree." At present, the branches growing from this ancient tree look as if several trees are growing together. Experts say: "This ancient tree grows on a hillside and has a relatively large crown area, making it prone to wind damage. If it is not protected in time, it can survive at most another 200 years."
A National First-Class Key Protected Wild Plant Discovered in Chaling County — the Bretschneidera Tree
On May 14, 2009, experts from the Provincial Forestry Survey and Design Institute unexpectedly discovered several specimens of the national first-class key protected wild plant Bretschneidera sinensis while conducting a survey in Yunyang Mountain. This was also the first discovery within Chaling County. Bretschneidera sinensis, also known as mountain peach tree and bell-calyx tree, is a relict species of the Tertiary ancient tropical flora and is also a unique, ancient monotypic family and relict species of China. In 1999 it was listed as a national first-class protected plant. It has important scientific value in the study of the phylogenetic development of angiosperms as well as geography and ancient climate.
Hunan's Only Surviving Golden Osmanthus — the Yongzhou Golden Osmanthus
Beside the Yonglian Highway in Hunan stands a golden osmanthus with a tree age of nearly 60 years, the only surviving golden osmanthus in Hunan. Its tree shape spreads out like a mushroom, with a crown diameter of about 11 meters, a height of more than 9 meters, and a trunk diameter at breast height of more than 41 centimeters. This tree has weathered many storms, and its beauty is said to be unmatched in China. From a thousand meters away, one can already see its jade-green, rounded canopy, and tree lovers are all moved by it; it may be called outwardly soft. Viewed up close, the trunk is straight and thick, round rather than hollow, with tens of thousands of supporting branches surging passionately upward together toward the sky, which may be called inwardly strong. When the golden osmanthus blooms, its fragrance spreads with the clouds, and its delicate scent drifts several li with the wind. The tree's form and color are already a rare wonder.
The Most Scientifically Valuable Strange Tree — Hunan's Multi-Trunk Camphor King
In 2008, Professor Hou Boxin of the Hunan Academy of Forestry joyfully discovered among three century-old ancient camphor trees in Shizhong Village, Shaoshan Township, Shaoshan City that one was a "strange tree of great significance to the study of Hunan's ancient trees," namely Hunan's multi-trunk camphor king. What makes this tree strange is its multiple trees from one stump. The stump portion has already protruded above the ground, with the exposed part measuring 7.65 meters north-south and 3.95 meters east-west, and five tumor scars distributed on various parts of the stump. The tumor scars were originally large trees too, but were cut down by people many years ago. Six large trees grow from the stump, like six brothers standing close together holding up a patch of sky.
A Rare Orchid Species Discovered in Hunan — Malaxis microtatantha
In May 2009, forestry technicians in Tongdao Dong Autonomous County, Hunan Province, discovered 16 rare orchid species in the Wanfoshan Danxia landform area, forming large-area populations with great protection and scientific research value. Among them, the very small epiphytic orchid Malaxis microtatantha is a new record species for Hunan. Malaxis microtatantha: a small terrestrial herb; pseudobulbs small, ovoid or nearly spherical, 3-8 mm long, 2-7 mm in diameter, externally covered with a white membranous sheath; one leaf, 1-1.5 (-2) cm long, 5-13 mm wide; scape erect, slender, often purple, slightly flattened, with very narrow wings on both sides; flowering period April.
A New Chinese Species First Appearing in Hunan — the Tianmen Mountain Rhododendron
On March 21, 2007, the new species Tianmen Mountain rhododendron was officially unveiled at the "China Hunan Zhangjiajie International Forest Protection Festival." It was the first appearance in Hunan of the Rhododendron subsect. Grandia. The Tianmen Mountain rhododendron has very unique morphological characteristics and is a new rhododendron species with great development and utilization value. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree, 2-4 meters tall, with flowers forming short terminal racemes, flowering from April to May. It is one of the few new plant species discovered in China in recent years, and its discovery has enriched the variety of Chinese rhododendrons.
A Species Endemic to Zhangjiajie — the Dayong Sour Bamboo
The Dayong sour bamboo was discovered and named in 1987 by Professor Yi Tongpei, a bamboo expert from the Sichuan Forestry School, during an investigation in Zhangjiajie City. The Dayong sour bamboo is a species endemic to Zhangjiajie City. It belongs to the genus Acidosasa of the Bambusoideae subfamily in the grass family. The Dayong sour bamboo has a monopodial rhizome, scattered culms, and three branches at each middle node. The culm node is slightly raised, and the culm sheath is relatively small, lanceolate or triangular-lanceolate. Leaf veins are numerous, and the reticulate veins are obvious.
Zhangjiajie's Most Peculiarly Shaped Endemic Species — the Wuling Pine
The Wuling pine was discovered and named in 1988 by Professor Qi Chengjing, a plant taxonomy expert from Central South University of Forestry and Technology, and is a species endemic to Zhangjiajie. Its difference from the Masson pine lies in its shorter and smaller tree form, short, thick, and hard needles, and smaller cones and seeds than the original species. The Wuling pine prefers to grow on cliffs and precipices or atop mountain peaks. It is a variety of Masson pine in the genus Pinus of the pine family. The Wuling pine is most widely distributed, most numerous, and most peculiarly shaped in Wulingyuan, with the reputation that "among the three thousand peaks of Wulingyuan, the peaks hold one hundred and eight thousand pines."
A Precious Chinese Medicinal Plant of Zhangjiajie — Cili Eucommia
Cili eucommia, commonly known as the "silk-cotton tree," is a perennial broadleaf tree with a long trunk, some reaching several zhang in height, and obovate leaves. Its bark can be used as medicine, and its flowers and fruits, though bitter and astringent, can also be used medicinally. The bark, fruit, and leaves of Cili eucommia all contain abundant gutta-percha and can be refined into a high-quality hard rubber with high thermoplasticity, strong water resistance, good insulation, and sufficient adhesiveness, making it an important raw material for the electrical, chemical, and telecommunications equipment industries. Its bark used medicinally can "benefit vital essence and strengthen bones and muscles" and has remarkable effects in treating soreness and pain of the waist and knees. As a major national commodity, Cili eucommia is sold far and wide across the world.
A Rare Wild Soybean Plant Discovered in Hunan — Wild Soybean
Wild soybean belongs to the national second-class protected wild rare plant resource variety. So far, within Xiangtan County it has been found only in Shebu and Qingshanqiao Towns, especially in Qingshanqiao. According to field observation, the stems of wild soybean are vine-like and attach to other plants. Its leaves are slightly smaller than soybean leaves, and the pods are no different in appearance from soybeans, but the individual plants are smaller, and they generally bear blue flowers. On September 5, 2006, the Xiangtan County Agriculture Bureau first conducted an on-site investigation of the "wild soybean" growing in Yanyan Village, Qingshanqiao Town, and made detailed analysis and records of the plant traits, growth habits, and local climatic characteristics of the wild soybean.
The First Torreya Tree Community Discovered in Central South China — the Yueshan Torreya Tree Community in Ningxiang
The Torreya tree community in Yueshan Village, Ningxiang County, Hunan Province, was first discovered in 1990. Such a large Torreya community was at least the first discovery in the Central South region. The oldest Torreya tree in the community is at least over 1,000 years old, with a "height" of 24 meters and a crown coverage of nearly 100 square meters. Its "embrace" is so broad that it takes six adults holding hands to encircle it. Because Torreya is a slow-growing tree species, generally when the trunk diameter at breast height reaches about 30 centimeters, the tree age is already over 100 years. Torreya belongs to the national second-class protected tree species.
China's Largest Chinese Swamp Cypress — the Millennial Chinese Swamp Cypress King of Zixing
In 1979, beside the small stream in front of Yanwo Village, Yanping Township, Zixing City, on the southwestern foot of the Luoxiao Mountains in southeastern Hunan, an ancient tree with an age of 800 years was discovered. The tree is 22 meters tall (its main tip has withered and broken off) and has a diameter at breast height of 2.03 meters. It is currently the largest Chinese swamp cypress in China, tall and upright, and is hailed as a "living fossil." It is a national second-class protected tree species. The tree has leaves like a pine and a shape like a fir, and is locally called metasequoia. In fact, this is not so: although it is related to metasequoia, it belongs to the same family but a different genus. Its scientific name is Chinese swamp cypress (Glyptostrobus pensilis). Like metasequoia, it is a precious ancient relict tree species native to China. It was widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere in the Cretaceous and Cenozoic, and after the Quaternary glaciation it became extinct in most parts of the world, with only one species found in China.
China's Masson Pine King — the Masson Pine of Xinfang, Guidong
China's largest Masson pine was discovered in Longxi Village, Xinfang Township, Guidong County, Hunan, an old revolutionary base area. This Masson pine is tall and upright, verdant, with rough bark, slender at the base and thick in the middle, forking at the top, and has a unique form. At its widest point 4–5 meters above the ground, its diameter reaches 2.8 meters, with an average diameter at breast height of 2.67 meters; even the smallest diameter at breast height of the slender lower part is 1.52 meters. It is about 45 meters tall; the upper trunk forks into two large trees each more than 1.4 meters in diameter. At present, no Masson pine this large exists elsewhere in China, so it has been designated the "Masson Pine King of China."