The rarest plant species on the planet reappears after more than 100 years of being declared extinct

When spring comes, flowers begin to bloom at Xi'an Botanical Garden, Shaanxi, China. Among them, Primula filchnerae Knuth is the most brilliant flower and attracts many visitors to admire.

Primula filchnerae Knuth is the scientific name of the Shaanxi primrose , an endangered endemic plant species found only in Shaanxi Province, China. The flower is named after German botanist Reinhard Gustav Paul Knuth, who first described it in 1905.

Primula filchnerae Knuth is a genus of Primula in the Primrose family. It is loved by people for its small, beautiful flowers, heart-shaped petals and feather-like leaves. This flower usually blooms from February to April every year. Because of these characteristics, the Chinese also call this flower the 'messenger of spring'.

Shaanxi primrose has elegant color and beautiful shape.

The Shaanxi primrose was first discovered in the southern Qinling Mountains of Shaanxi Province in 1904, but it had completely disappeared for more than 100 years. The Chinese Flora and Red Book both listed it as extinct. It was not until 2015 that the reappearance of the Shaanxi primrose in the Qinling Mountains shocked the botanical community.

Since 2017, senior Chinese researchers in Shaanxi have been investigating the wild distribution and growth status of this species. They have conducted seeding experiments in an effort to reproduce and conserve the world's rarest flower, which is only found in the Shaanxi region.

Shaanxi primrose revives after more than 100 years but is still on the endangered species list according to the Red List (IUCN).

According to Yue Ming, director of the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Botany and professor and PhD supervisor at Northwest University, there are four distribution points of Shaanxi primrose in the province . However, the current population of Shaanxi primrose does not exceed 500 plants. What is worrying is that none of the four distribution points are located in a conservation area. In addition, there is another distribution point located next to National Highway 108 (China). Therefore, the Shaanxi primrose is still at risk of extinction.

Researchers cultivate Shaanxi primrose in the wild.

Mr. Nhac Minh said that the Xi'an Botanical Garden has successfully propagated tens of thousands of plants since collecting seeds of the Primula filchnerae Knuth in 2017. The flowers are mainly for display purposes, scientific research and breeding of new varieties of orchids that bloom once every 15 years, 136 million VND/plant.

When spring comes, many tourists come to Xi'an Botanical Garden to see this rare flower called 'the messenger of spring' . The conservation and propagation of Shaanxi primrose is not only of great scientific significance but also contributes to promoting tourism in Shaanxi Province.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi Province are known as a 'gene bank of biodiversity' with rich plant and animal species. Finding a wild plant species that has disappeared for hundreds of years like the Shaanxi primrose is like 'looking for a needle in a haystack', but it is also proof that perseverance will pay off.

The scientific research team will continue to monitor and manage the propagated flower population, and aim to establish a new population that can flower and fruit naturally. This is to improve the fragile living conditions of the Shaanxi primrose and create a solid foundation for its long-term survival.