A wild Pu'er tea tree (Camellia sinensis var. Assamica) has been identified for the first time in Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, during a field survey conducted by local conservation staff and experts from the South China National Botanical Garden.
Pu'er is one of China's famous teas, primarily distributed in Yunnan and several southern provinces. Due to habitat loss and over-harvesting, its wild populations have been added to the list of wildlife under national second-class protection.
This finding increases the number of nationally protected plant species recorded in Zhongshan to 23. Local authorities stated that follow-up surveys and conservation measures, including artificial propagation and ex-situ protection, will be implemented to safeguard the species.
Author | Huang Xinying
Photo | Nanfang Plus
Editor | Wei Shen, James Campion, Shen He
