Rare and endangered plants settle in at Three Gorges scenic area

By Zeng Lei, Yichang International Communication Studio

On Thursday, 55 rare and endangered endemic plants of seven species were planted in the national 5A tourist attraction - Three Gorges Waterfall Scenic Area. The species primarily include the western Hubei ormosia hosiei, kolkwitzia amabilis, and sinojackia xylocarpa among others.

Since last year, Three Gorges Botanical Garden has planted 265 rare and endangered endemic plants of nine species in the scenic area. An exclusive zone was set up in the area for these plants and includes an introductory sign for each species.

The Three Gorges Waterfall Scenic Area is one of four national 5A scenic areas in Yichang, with a variety of landscapes such as cambrian stone forests, mountains, waterfalls, lakes, underground rivers and caves. It hosts one of the world’s 68 Global Boundary Stratotype Sections and Points, known as the “Golden spike.” It is an internationally agreed upon reference point on a stratigraphic section which defines the lower boundary of a stage on the geologic time scale. The scenic area is a suitable place for the survival and reproduction of rare and endangered endemic plants.

To promote the knowledge of protecting rare and endangered plants, as well as raise the awareness of biodiversity conversation, the Three Gorges Botanical Garden has set up rare and endangered endemic planting areas across several communities and campuses.