A close-up of a Bletilla striata flower. [Photo/66wz.com]

In a significant discovery, the Nanji Islands National Marine Nature Reserve in Pingyang county, Wenzhou, has identified a rare plant species, Bletilla striata.

This finding was made during the 2023 comprehensive scientific survey of the reserve's biodiversity.

Bletilla striata, classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, is a well-known orchid species.

It is admired for its beautiful flowers and is commonly used in horticulture. Additionally, its tubers have medicinal properties, including a hemostatic effect, making it valuable in traditional Chinese medicine. However, wild populations of the plant are scarce, necessitating enhanced conservation efforts.

The discovery was made in the rocky areas of Menyuwei village within the reserve. A wild population of five individual plants was found, each standing 30-80 centimeters tall with robust stems.

This marks the first record of a nationally protected wild plant species on the Nanji Islands, enriching the botanical diversity of Zhejiang's islands. It also provides essential data for further research on the species' origin and geographical distribution. The presence of Bletilla striata underscores the exceptional ecological environment and rich biodiversity of the Nanji Islands.