In a study published in Taiwania, researchers from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences identified two new species of flowering plants in the remote forests of Motuo County, Xizang Autonomous Region, highlighting the region’s critical role as a global biodiversity refuge.

Agapetes and Vaccinium are two genera in the Ericaceae family which has 407 species across 18 genera and is particularly notable in the list of vascular plants in Xizang. During a survey in Motuo County, researchers discovered two unidentified species. After examining specimens and fresh materials of similar species and consulting relevant literature, they determined these plants are two new species belonging to Agapetes and Vaccinium respectively.

Agapetes brevituba is a small evergreen shrub with striking white, urn-shaped flowers featuring a dark red base and green tip. It differs from relatives by its shorter floral tube and unique flower color. It grows epiphytically on trees in mixed coniferous broad-leaved forests at elevations of 2,200-2,500 meters. During the survey, only one population was encountered in Deergong Village, Motuo County.

Vaccinium longisetosum is an evergreen shrub covered in long brown bristles, bearing translucent white berries. It differs from other species by its bristle-covered branches and fruit color. It grows epiphytically on trees in mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests at elevations of 1,800-2,700 meters. During the survey, three populations were encountered in Deergong Village, Motuo County.

“Due to the lack of field surveys in the adjacent areas, the distribution range and the number of populations still need to be investigated. We propose to assess the conservation status of the two new species as Data Deficient (DD) following IUCN guidelines,” said TAN Yunhong from XTBG.

Agapetes brevituba (Image by TAN Yunhong)

Vaccinium longisetosum (Image by TAN Yunhong)