Rare plant species found in SW China

Researchers from Kunming Institute of Survey and Design in southwest China's Yunnan Province found the country's second distribution area of Taxus fauna, an endangered plant species.

The newly-found distribution area of the plant species, under the country's first-class protection, is located in Mount Qomolangma National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

Over 3,000 plants of this rare species are present in the distribution area covering more than 500 hectares, said Zhao Mingxu, an engineer with the institute under the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

The latest discovery will provide important support for studying biogeographical, biological and ecological characteristics of the species, and further enhance the ecological and conservation value of the nature reserve, Zhao added.

In 1975, researchers discovered the country's first distribution area of the species in the autonomous region's Gyirong County.