New plant species discovered in Jiangxi

Researchers have discovered a new plant species in Jiangxi province, expanding scientific knowledge of the plant kingdom and boosting biodiversity conservation efforts in the country.

The findings were published on March 14 in the international botanical journal PhytoKeys, marking the first scientific record of the species.

The newly identified plant, Sedum orientalichinense, belongs to the Sedum genus within the Crassulaceae family. It is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows 6 to 18 centimeters tall, featuring semi-erect stems with four to eight nodes and yellow petals. It blooms from June to July.

"This discovery challenges the long-held misconception that this group of plants belonged to a species unique to Japan," said Xiong Yu, a researcher at the nature reserve and co-author of the research paper.

Xiong said the discovery highlights Jiangxi's rich biodiversity and provides essential data for conservation and taxonomic research.

Last year, a team from Sun Yat-sen University and Zhejiang University conducted a biodiversity survey in the Matou Mountain National Nature Reserve in Jiangxi and discovered a new type of fleshy herbaceous plant. After two years of tracking and investigation, the team collected living specimens and molecular materials, comparing them with 278 historical specimens. They confirmed that it was an unreported species.

"Previously, this species had been found in Jiangxi, but researchers mistakenly believed that Sedum orientalichinense and Sedum makinoi in Japan were the same species. However, our research uncovered significant differences, confirming that the species in Jiangxi is indeed new," Xiong said.

"Also, Sedum makinoi is not exclusive to Japan. It was first discovered there but is also found in China in places such as Anhui and Zhejiang provinces," he added.

Wild populations of Sedum orientalichinense have been located in limestone habitats in Matou Mountain in Jiangxi and in some areas of Zhejiang province. The research team named the species Sedum orientalichinense to reflect its geographical origins.

The plant has specific habitat requirements, thriving in biodiverse regions and primarily growing on rock walls surrounded by mosses and lichens, researchers said.

Sedum orientalichinense is mainly used as ornamental vegetation and for rock greening, said Xiong, adding that it has no known medicinal value yet.

The Matou Mountain National Nature Reserve in Jiangxi is a crucial biodiversity conservation area within the Wuyi Mountains. It is home to 2,934 species of higher plants and 445 species of terrestrial vertebrates, earning it the reputation of a "rare gene bank for flora and fauna".

China is an important distribution area for Crassulaceae plants, with about 240 native species across 10 genera. These plants play key roles in ecological restoration, urban greening and the horticultural industry.