Rare Plants, Animals Found in Central China

Rare plants and animals have been found in the Dabie Mountains in Hubei Province, central China.

The plants, divided into 170 families, 729 varieties and more than 1,760 species, were recently found in a virgin forest in a 29-square-kilometer area in Luotian County.

Researchers have also discovered animals under state protection, including rattlesnakes, leopards, parrots, owls and giant salamanders.

Plants found include azaleas, ginkgoes, Chinese gooseberry and haw.

The area is located on the highest peak of the mountain 1,404 meters above sea level.

Hubei Provincial Forestry Bureau and Central China Agriculture University have designated the area as a botanical gene research center.



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