Living heart-shaped fossil found in Zhejiang

The rare plant found by Lin Hailun in Zhejiang

(ECNS) — A rare plant — known as Ophioglossum reticulatum Linn by its Latin name — was found early this week in Xiangshan county, Zhejiang province.

With the plant long considered a living fossil, it was the first to be found in Zhejiang.

Lin Hailun, a plant expert in Ningbo, spotted the fossil while recently walking through a bamboo forest. After days of observation, he confirmed the plant to be the Ophioglossum reticulatum Linn with heart-shaped leaves.

Psilotum nudum (L.) Beauv, Another living fossil, was found in Xiangshan last November.

Discovery of the two ancient species was confirmed by Professor Li Genyou, an authoritative plant expert at Zhejiang A&F University.

The reason these ancient plants are found in this location may be attributed to the superior water and warm weather conditions in Xiangshan Peninsula, which is surrounded by the sea on three sides. Moreover, the local ecological environment is well preserved, which enables the survival of many species.

Lin said the class these newly discovered plants belong to is very ancient and that they possess unique gene structures considered to be of high value for botanical study and utilization.