A clump of rare and endangered Ulmus elongate trees is found in Songyang county, Lishui. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

A major ecological discovery was made recently in Songyang county -- administered by Lishui city in East China's Zhejiang province -- when 300 ultra-rare Ulmus elongate trees were found in the county's Lizhuang village.

Ulmus elongata, a species native to China, is one of the grade II national key conservation rare and endangered plants.

According to the forest resources protection and management station of Songyang county, it is the largest group of wild Ulmus elongate trees ever found in China.

At present, the station is working with experts to further investigate the trees and carry out on-site protection work.