New orchid species discovered in Mulun Nature Reserve

Cleisostoma mulunense. [Photo/Hechi Daily]

A recent publication in the journal Phytotaxa announced the discovery of a new species of orchid in the Mulun Nature Reserve.

The new species, named Cleisostoma mulunense, belongs to the orchid family and was discovered during a survey of the Mulun Nature Reserve in July 2023. It was found by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Guangxi Institute of Botany and the Mulun National Nature Reserve Management Center.

The discovery of this new orchid increased the number of orchid species in the reserve to 160, and the number of orchid species in China to 22.

In recent years, the Mulun Nature Reserve in Hechi's Huanjiang Maonan autonomous county has promoted green development and protected the area's biodiversity. The reserve's unique topography, geomorphology, and climate have provided favorable conditions for the growth of various plant species.