A team of Chinese researchers has unveiled a new plant species named Thismia jinzun, resembling a golden goblet from a famous poem by the renowned poet Li Bai (701-762). This rare discovery was made in the Jianfengling section of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, located in south China’s Hainan Province.
The newly identified species belongs to the Thismia genus, known for its stringent environmental requirements. Predominantly found in tropical regions, with some species in subtropical and warm temperate zones, these plants are exceptionally rare. Xu Han, a researcher from the Research Institute of Tropical Forestry at the Chinese Academy of Forestry, highlighted the significance of the find, noting the genus’s sensitivity to environmental conditions.
Hainan’s unique ecological environment offers an excellent habitat for Thismia jinzun, solidifying the island province as a biodiversity hotspot for the Thismia genus in China. Of the 107 known species of the genus worldwide, nine have now been recorded in China.
“The discovery of Thismia jinzun confirms that our efforts to conserve Hainan’s tropical montane rainforests have enriched the diversity of local plant species and expanded the genetic resources of wild plants,” said Yang Haijun, a researcher from South China Agricultural University and author of the research paper published in the international academic journal Phytotaxa.
The plant’s name pays homage to Li Bai’s literary masterpiece, drawing a poetic connection between nature and cultural heritage. The golden goblet shape of the plant mirrors the imagery in Li Bai’s work, adding a layer of historical significance to the botanical discovery.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
