Situated on the island province of Hainan in the south of China, the Hainan tropical rainforest is renowned for being the country's most concentrated, best-preserved, and extensive tropical rainforest. This vibrant ecosystem is home to over 4,300 plant species, with more than 400 of them being endemic to the island.
One of the rainforest's unique treasures is the Vatica mangachapoi, a tropical lowland tree found exclusively in Hainan. What sets this species apart is its production of helicopter seeds, or winged seeds. These seeds are enveloped by a pair of papery wings that catch the wind, allowing them to travel farther than most other fruit seeds, aiding in the tree's widespread propagation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
