Eleven experts, experienced in plant classification and wild plants, spent three days “holed up” at the end of August assessing the native plants in Hunan Province.

　　According to the initial statistics, there are more than 4000 native plants in Hunan Province. “It is a tough work to survey all these plants, but it is worthy.” PENG Chunliang, CPC Secretary in Hunan Forest Botanical Garden said.

　　The experts then tackled the problems of those plants in homonym and synonym, analyzed their distributions and threatened status, combining with the years of wild experiences and relevant document literature. They finally listed the first version of the species priority conservation grades in Hunan area.

　　After the assessment, there are about 3 species designated as extinct in the wild, 43 species as critically endangered and 193 species as endangered.

　　“Thanks a lot to the experts for their professionalism.” Peng appreciated, “The assessment pointed out the direction for our work in inventory and conservation. We will immediately start the field survey tomorrow.”

　　Hunan Forest Botanical Garden newly participates in the Full-Coverage Conservation Plant for Native Plants (PhaseⅡ) in China in 2016. They will take in charge of the conservation in Hunan area.