In a recent field study, Prof. Zhu Hua of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) found a large patch of mid-montane moist evergreen broadleaved forest at Tiantang Forest Farm (N24º 56’37"，E99 º 37’11") in Changning County, at an altitude of 2,400 meters above sea level.

“Although mid-montane moist evergreen broadleaved forest is usually dominated by the genera Castanopsis, Lithocarpus, Cyclobalanopsis (Fagaceae), Machilus (Lauraceae), Schima (Theaceae), Distylium (Hamamelidaceae), Magnolia and Michelia (Magnoliaceae), the species composition and dominant species are diverse in different mountains of the distribution areas.” Zhu Hua said.

According to Prof. Zhu Hua, the mid-montane moist evergreen broadleaved forest is characterized by evergreen mesophanerophytes and microphanerophytes with simple, leathery and entire mesophyllous leaves, a relatively high abundance of woody lianas and epiphytes, abundant herbaceous phanerophytes, few buttressed trees and little or no cauliflory.

Mid-montane moist evergreen broadleaved forest in Changning, Baoshan, SW Yunnan

Rhododendron elfin forest