Fewer than 40 specimens of habenaria plurifoliata, a rare and endangered perennial herbaceous orchid, have been discovered in a nature reserve in southwest China's Yunnan Province.
The new discovery bolsters future population surveys, habitat research and conservation efforts for the species.
Discovered for the first time at Longling County's Xiaoheishan Nature Reserve, the plant grows in humid valley meadow in two locations, with each measuring more than 70 centimeters in height.
A single habenaria plurifoliata plant produces 10 to 25 flowers. The blossoms are green or greenish-white, with the upper outer petals slightly curved upward, resembling a sickle or a tongue.
Its flower buds resemble drill bits, while its fruits are spindle-shaped.
This plant has a narrow distribution, found primarily in Yunnan Province, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and Guizhou Province in south and southwest China.
Endangered flower found in China's Yunnan
China's southeastern coastal city of Xiamen has handled a record number of cross-border passengers this year, local immigration authority said on Saturday.
As of 19:00 on Saturday, ports across Xiamen, Fujian Province had recorded more than 6 million inbound and outbound travelers, an increase of nearly 20 percent year on year, according to data from the Gaoqi Branch of Xiamen General Immigration Inspection Station.
Xiamen has become a popular destination for foreign tourists for vacation, leisure, business and other activities, as the campaign of "China Travel" has grown popular among international travelers this year.
Xiamen ports have handled over 1.1 million foreign entries and exits. Among them, nearly 380,000 were beneficiaries of the visa-free policy or 240-hour visa-free transit, marking a growth of nearly 35 percent from last year.
"[I will stay in China for] two months. I think maybe shopping or something exciting, maybe. I think it's a nice country. A lot of things you can buy here, nice things. I think every people is very nice," said Chris, a tourist from the Netherlands.
Xiamen handles record cross-border travelers
