Be aware of the dense forest growing along the sides of the road. it mirrors together thescenic sites of main plants in Jiuzhaigou. The evergreen plants consists of Chinese pine, hemlock, fir and dragon spruce; the red-leaf plants are maple, little tiller, smoke tree and others; the yellow-leaf plants are birchm, golden-rain tree, elm, larch, poplar mix together in harmony, offering a rainbow of natural pictures that easily please to our eyes, It is commonly believe that the colerful plant scenery is one of the main features manifested in Jiuzhaigou. As autumn arrives, the plants keep changing their colors. As colorful leaves and forests are mirrored on the lakes around, the stunning color images seem to allure viewers into a dreamlike world because it is too beautiful to absorb all of them during a time-limited tour.
As you enter into Shuzheng scenic site, and start walking through it, the garden-patterned landscape might inspire your passion to write poems or paint pictures. Here is the Reed Sea. If you close your eyes, you may feel as if you were in the region of rivers and lakes in southern China. Actually the sea is a kind of moisture land that suits the growth of varied water plants. Some fiah swims in the shallow sea, and they have a strange name, called"naked carp"or they has no scales, but belong to the family of the carp.
Due to its unique geographical conditions, Jiuzhaigou makes it possible to perverse many ancient plants sur viving to date, in its deep valleys away from strikes of the Quaternary glacial period. Of all these plants, the monotype and rare-type species make up 3.3% and 13. 73% respectively. These primitive surviving plants in clude ancient tree species having been existing far about 100 million years (the Cretaceous), and are of high aca- demic values for studies of evolution of the local plant system and zonal ion.
White-Bark Spruce
All arbor species, as tall as 25m , 0.5m in the trunk diameter, rare in number, scattering on 2,600 -3,700m belts, a Class- Ⅱ state-protected species, and endemic to Sichuan, of light timber, fine fabric, and high quality and toughness - an ideal material for building and fiber industries.
Picea Brachytyla
An evergreen arbor, as tall as 41m . 1m in the trunk diameter, with a tower shape, extended branches, h anging twigs, growing on an 2,000 -2,800m belt, and one of the main sub-alpine coniferous species.
Endemic to China, Picea brachytyla is a Class- Ⅲ state protected species . For its strong fabric and fine texture, it is an ideal material for manufacturing of airplanes, automobiles, musical instruments, architecture and furniture. It can be planted for lumber production and forestation in mountainous regions.
Yew
An evergreen arbor, 5-l 5m tall (the tallest 20m ), a trunk diameter 0.1 -0.5m (tallest 0.8m ), grows at 1,600 -2,400m in evergreen broad-leaved woods and broad-leaved and coniferous mixed woods, and appears in the from of low arbors and shrubs.
Endemic to China , it is of straight texture, fine fabric, as well as corrosion-resistant. It is an ideal material for hydraulic projects. With an oil content of over 60%, it is good for soap and refined lubricant production, as well as being edible and anti-ascariasis. Because of its beautiful shape, it is an ornamental plant good for gardening.
Katsura Tree
A deciduous arbor, as tall as 40cm , 3m in the trunk diameter, branching up to meters above the ground, usu. Grows on hillside and valleys up to 1,800-2,000 meters.
The katsura tree is a Class- Ⅱ state-protected plant, the only species in the katsura family, and a surviving species from ancient times. it is of great value for studies of the plant zonation, and an important raw ingredient for production of additives. In autumn, its leaf turns golden yellow, of good ornamental. The katsura tree grows and regenerates fast, good for forestation in mountainous regions.
Sanjian(Three-Branch) Fir
An arbor as tall as 20m and 40cm in the trunk diameter, usu. grows in coniferous forests at an altitude of 1,000-3,000 meters.
Its times appears yellowish brown, with fine and elastic texture as well as a weight proportion of 0.59-0.77, good for woodworks for bridge building. It has an oil content of 38%, and a kernel-oil content of 5-70%, good for oil production. A number of plant alkaloids can be extracted from its leaves, twigs and seeds that are good as a cure for lymph tumor and leukemia.
Lingchun(Spring Usher)
A deciduous shrub or low arbor. 2-l 5m tall. usu. grows on the stream banks or in shrubs at an altitude of 1.800- 2,400 meters.
A Class- Ⅲ state-protected plant, it has only two spe cies in the family, and is a surviving species. It is of scientific values for studies of trochodendraceae for its evolution and plant zonation. In early spring, it bursts into beautiful blossoms - making it an ornamental plant.
Duye(Single-leaf) Grass
A perennial small herbal plant. without hair. 3 -10cm tall, usu. grows below fir woods and azalea groves at an altitude of 2.500-3.500 meters, mixing with musci species.
Endemic to China, it is a Class- Ⅱ state-protected species, the only one of the family, and an ancient surviving species. It is a herbal medicine good for muscle and bone pains. Its nutritious leaf branches out like a fork (of two branches), similar to that of the gymnosperm plants like gingko and other algae. The ground stalk has one leaf trace, different from that of other Ranunculus species. Studies of this plant will offer new finds for evolution of angiosperms.
Chuanguo(fruit chain) Rattan
A deciduous rattan, up to 10-odd meters tall, without hair, usu. Grows in evergreen broad-leaved and deciduous forests at an altitude of 1,600-2,400 meters, and tends to climb and circle around tall arbors.
Endemic to China , it has only one species, and is an ancient surviving species, of high academic values for studies of evolution of the Lardizabalaceae family. Its branch and rattan fruits contain 6% sugar, its pulp looks white and edible, the seeds contain 10-15% starch, good as a liquor-brewing material.
