A group of Chinese scientists has once again discovered an extremely endangered rare plant species known as Euonymus aquifolium, more than 110 years after it was first identified in the country.
Photo taken by researcher Hu Jun on August 10, 2021, showing the Euonymus aquifolium in its natural habitat. (Photo: Hu Jun/Xinhua)
In 1908, British botanist Ernest Henry Wilson first discovered three specimens of Euonymus aquifolium in Sichuan Province, Southwest China. However, since then, no one has found this species again.
In August 2021, a research team led by Hu Jun, a research assistant at the Chengdu Institute of Biology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, embarked on a scientific expedition to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and discovered approximately 15 Euonymus aquifolium plants on a cliff near Mount Gongga.
Upon finding this plant species, the researchers carefully observed its key characteristics, such as the calyx, petals, and stamens, and created scientific sketches. The team also conducted molecular experiments on the samples in the laboratory, subsequently confirming that this was indeed the Euonymus aquifolium.
Hu Jun mentioned that several experts had searched for this rare plant for over a decade without success. The research team plans to collect additional seeds from the plant to include in a seed bank and for artificial cultivation.
