Rare “ghost plants” found for first time in nature reserve in Maguan, SW China’s Yunnan

Photo shows Monotropa uniflora, also known as the “ghost plant,” in the Laojun Mountain Provincial Nature Reserve in southwest China’s Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the Maguan management branch of the Laojun Mountain Provincial Nature Reserve)

Monotropa uniflora, also known as the “ghost plant,” was recently spotted for the first time in a forest area at an altitude of 1,800 meters of the Laojun Mountain Provincial Nature Reserve located in Maguan county, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province.

The rare plant was discovered by staff of the Maguan management branch of the nature reserve.

The herbaceous perennial plant appears white. It is a saprophyte and does not contain any chlorophyll. It obtains nutrients indirectly from fungi and usually grows in mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests at an altitude between 1,500 and 2,500 meters.

Photo shows the Laojun Mountain Provincial Nature Reserve in southwest China’s Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the Maguan management branch of the Laojun Mountain Provincial Nature Reserve)

The nature reserve, home to many relict species, rare and endangered species, and species endemic to China, features rich biodiversity.

In recent years, Maguan county has enhanced monitoring and patrols of forests, and intensified efforts to popularize relevant legal knowledge, thus better protecting forest resources. Statistics show there are 1,434 species of vascular plants and 195 terricolous vertebrates in the Laojun Mountain Provincial Nature Reserve.

Photo shows Monotropa uniflora, also known as the “ghost plant,” in the Laojun Mountain Provincial Nature Reserve in southwest China’s Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the Maguan management branch of the Laojun Mountain Provincial Nature Reserve)

Photo shows Monotropa uniflora, also known as the “ghost plant,” in the Laojun Mountain Provincial Nature Reserve in southwest China’s Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the Maguan management branch of the Laojun Mountain Provincial Nature Reserve)