Commonly known as the Wenshan Slipper Orchid, Paphiopedilum wenshanense is a terrestrial or semi-epiphytic plant found only in specific valleys under dense shrubs and sparse limestone forests in parts of Yunnan Province, including Yuanjiang County. With an extremely narrow distribution, scarce natural populations, and low reproductive rates, the species faces imminent extinction. It is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and is listed among China’s and Yunnan Province’s Top 120 Extremely Small Populations requiring urgent rescue.

In order to protect this rare species, the researchers from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) and Yuanjiang National Nature Reserve jointly reintroduced 1,000 critically endangered Paphiopedilum wenshanense orchid seedlings into their native habitat on August 5-6.

Supported by "Extremely Small Populations Species Protection and Reintroduction Project" (2023) Yunnan Provincial Department of Forestry and Grassland, the researchers have conducted extensive field surveys within the Yuanjiang National Nature Reserve. Following legal collection permits, seeds and a small number of plants were gathered. Through dedicated seed germination, tissue culture experiments, and cultivation efforts by orchid research teams, a substantial number of healthy seedlings were produced – paving the way for reintroduction.

Guided by the orchid’s specific ecological needs, the team carefully planted the 1,000 seedlings around limestone rocks within the plant’s native forest understory habitat. Researchers will conduct regular, long-term monitoring of survival rates and growth to assess the success of the reintroduction.