Magnolia sinica, a panda tree in east Yunnan

In east Yunnan’s Xichou County, where the Tropic of Cancer passes through, you may be inadvertently greeted by wonders -- the magnolia sinica tree, for example.

During a recent study tour with Yunnan writer Hu Tingwu, we visited the Xiaoqiaogou nature reserve in Xichou’s Fadou township, home of the magnolia sinica tree. There, we came across the panda-like rare plant species.

The lofty trees are rooted in the dense forest. With an umbrella-shaped canopy, the adult ones have a 40-meter trunk and a 2-meter diameter. On a sign hanging on the trunks, the ID number and age are recorded in detail for better protection.

Data show that the magnolia sinica tree originated around 140 million years ago, as one of the oldest plant species in the magnoliaceae family. The ever-green megaphanerophyte features jade-like texture, and locals call it “satin tree with green beans”.

Scattering in the damp valleys with an elevation of 1,300-1,500 meters, the endangered tree is quite particular about the growing environment like soil texture, temperature and humidity.

With developed tabular roots, the rare tree usually blooms in April and its fruits reach maturity between September and November.

Botanists say the magnolia sinica tree is not productive because its fragrant gynecium are mostly eaten up by insects. As a result, it bears few seeds, whose greasy skin makes it hard for them to sprout.

The tree is under first-class state protection in China. So far, a total of seven gigantic magnolia sinica trees have been identified worldwide, five of which take roots in the Xiaoqiaogou area.

In June 2003, the Xiaoqiaogou nature reserve was established as an exclusive home for the rare tree species, making it possible for Yunnan to better house panda tree.

Reporting by Huang Guifang (Yunnan Net); Trans-editing by Wang Shixue