On May 29th, a uniquely shaped wildflower resembling a fox tail was discovered at the Xiaoheishan Provincial Nature Reserve in Longling County, Baoshan City, Yunnan Province. After being identified by Tan Yunhong, a researcher at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, this flower was confirmed to be a new record species for the reserve: Rhynchostylis retusa, a member of the Orchidaceae family.

Rhynchostylis retusa is a perennial herb with well-developed and thick aerial roots. Its inflorescences are relatively long, often exceeding 30 centimeters. The flowers are white with dense purple spots, and the narrow, oblong petals are quite "miniature," measuring only 7 to 7.5 millimeters in length. Because its drooping inflorescence looks like a fox's tail, it is commonly referred to as the "fox tail orchid." Locally, Rhynchostylis retusa is often seen as a symbol of reunion, beauty, happiness, well-being, and nobility.

The flowering period of Rhynchostylis retusa usually occurs from May to June each year. During this time, clusters of Rhynchostylis retusa appear to sway in the air like "flower baskets" from a distance. The color of the flowers changes with the intensity of light, and the purple spots on the petals are particularly elegant and attractive up close, providing a sense of peace and comfort.

Rhynchostylis retusa mainly grows in sparse forests or on the trunks of tall trees at the forest edges. In China, it is primarily distributed in Yunnan and Guizhou, with a narrow distribution range. In Longling, Baoshan, it mainly grows at the Xiaoheishan Provincial Nature Reserve and its surrounding areas. Rhynchostylis retusa is a national second-class protected wild plant in China, it is also included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species and protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. (Editors: Ines, Amy)