The South China National Botanical Garden in Guangzhou is rich in rare plant resources, covering multiple groups. The following are some representative species and their characteristics:

First, rare and endangered plants

Wangtian tree

Characteristics: The tallest rare and endangered plant in the garden, reaching a height of 20 to 30 meters, with a straight trunk, elegant and upright. It is native to tropical rainforests and is known as the “tall” in the jungle.

Cycas plants

Feature: It is the oldest rare and endangered plant in the park. As an ancient group that coexisted with dinosaurs, it is known as a “living fossil”. The existing species are rare and have extremely high scientific research value.

Osmanthus fragrans

Characteristics: A unique wild plant under national key protection in Guangdong Province, it once “disappeared” for nearly a hundred years. It was rediscovered in Meizhou City, Guangdong Province in 2023. The existing population is scarce and the fruiting rate is low, urgently requiring rescue protection.

Primrose moss

Characteristics: In the 1990s, researchers from the South China National Botanical Garden discovered it on a wild cliff in Guangdong Province. Through ex-situ conservation techniques, it successfully returned to the wild. In recent years, by artificially propagating seedlings, it has helped three endangered species of Primula plants return to nature.

Second, distinctive orchids and rare flowers

Paphiopedilum plants

Characteristics: One of the world’s most endangered plant species, the South China National Botanical Garden has been carrying out rescue and cultivation work since 2003. It has successfully concurred precious varieties such as Paphiopedilum and Paphiopedilum callosum in the garden and achieved large-scale propagation through tissue culture technology.

Golden lotus in the ground

Characteristics: The flowering period lasts for up to 12 months. The flowers are golden and brilliant, resembling lotus flowers emerging from underground, complementing the autumn landscape perfectly. In 2020, it was listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Third, other characteristic plants

Lemon eucalyptus

Features: The fallen leaves in autumn give off a strong lemon fragrance. The leaves can be used to make bookmarks and have both ornamental and practical value.

Golden Retriever

Characteristics: It is a key second-class protected wild plant of the state. Its rhizomes have a remarkable hemostatic function. It is named for its shape resembling a “furry puppy”.

Two-sided needle

Characteristics: A national key second-class protected wild plant, with spines on both sides of the leaves, featuring unique morphological characteristics.

Plants of the water ghost banana genus

Characteristics: Also known as American water ghost banana or spider orchid, it is a perennial bulbous herb that ADAPTS to warm and humid climates and is an ideal bonsai ornamental plant.