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Yuxi Yuanjiang: Yunnan Flame Orchid, the "Giant Panda" of the Plant World, blooms for the first time after returning to the wild
Published:
2025-04-28
Yunnan Flame Orchid is called the "Giant Panda" of the plant world by botanical experts. It was once almost extinct in Yunnan. After years of efforts by forestry and grassland departments and scientific researchers at all levels, artificial breeding and wild return to the original habitat have been actively carried out. Recently, good news came from the Yunnan Yuanjiang National Nature Reserve. Yunnan Flame Orchid ushered in the first bloom after returning to the wild, marking a breakthrough in the restoration of the population of this critically endangered species.
Entering the Yuanjiang Dry and Hot Valley Ecological Station of the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the reporter saw more than 20 Yunnan Flame Orchids planted in the wild in the germplasm resource garden, and 6 of them were in full bloom at the same time. Their flowers were bright in color and particularly eye-catching. According to the staff, this batch of Yunnan Flame Orchids was introduced to the station for artificial breeding in 2023 and bloomed for the first time in March this year.
It may not be easy to bloom at this altitude because of the high temperature and low humidity, but under the condition of artificially increasing humidity and shading, it is a surprise this year, and it blooms more luxuriantly. "
It is understood that the Yunnan Flame Orchid is named for its bright red flowers like flames. It is a rare orchid species unique to my country. It is only distributed in Yuanjiang, Yunnan in China. It is a national second-level key protected wild plant and is listed as a critically endangered species by the World Conservation Union. Due to its narrow distribution area, scarce wild resources, difficulty in population reproduction and human overexploitation, the wild population is on the verge of extinction. Wen Handong told reporters that since 2016, the Yuanjiang Dry and Hot Valley Ecological Station has cooperated with the Reserve Management Bureau and scientific research institutions to conduct field distribution, population quantity surveys, biological characteristics observations, data collection and other work of the Yunnan Flame Orchid in the Yuanjiang area. In particular, since 2022, with the support of the professional technology of the Orchid Biodiversity Research Team of the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, technical research on artificial breeding tissue culture, seedling hardening and wild return of the Yunnan Flame Orchid has been carried out. After the unremitting efforts of scientific researchers, the It has solved many problems in the process of artificial breeding and wild return.
At present, relevant departments have initially established a seedling breeding system for Yunnan Flame Orchid, and carried out wild return experiments of Yunnan Flame Orchid in many places in Yuanjiang area, explored feasible technical solutions for wild return, and helped the wild population of Yunnan Flame Orchid to achieve restorative growth. This not only provides key technical support for the population recovery and germplasm resource preservation of Yunnan Flame Orchid, but also accumulates valuable experience for future germplasm innovation and sustainable use of resources.
Li Shouqi, director of the Scientific Research and Technology Application Institute of the Yunnan Yuanjiang National Nature Reserve Management Bureau, said: "In recent years, we have selected 6 points to carry out 7 wild return work, and selected more than 500 high-quality seedlings. This year, Yunnan Flame Orchids at 4 return points have successfully bloomed, which not only provides a technical example for the protection of endangered plants, but also demonstrates the determination and ability of the reserve in ecological restoration and species conservation."