Tianzhu Lingzhi

Tianzhu Lingzhi

　　Tianzhu Mountain boasts over a thousand varieties of plants and flowers, among which the Daphne odora is the most precious and rarest. The Daphne odora on Tianzhu Mountain mostly grows in high-altitude areas at around 1,300 to 1,400 meters above sea level. Its branches are low and it remains evergreen all year round, undeterred by wind, snow, and severe cold. In early summer, its new leaves are emerald green, thick, and shiny. The Daphne odora comes in a variety of colors, including purple, red, yellow, and white, and when the wind blows, the flowers sway, releasing a uniquely enchanting fragrance.

In addition to the Daphne odora, Tianzhu Mountain also has other rare and valuable plants such as white azaleas and green orchids. The Tianzhu green orchid, in particular, is truly unique. Known for its “orchid heart and green calyx,” it grows naturally without cultivation. There is also a rare flower called the mountain malan, which resembles an orchid but is larger in size, looks like a chrysanthemum but is purple in color, emits a fragrant aroma and produces seeds, while its roots can be used medicinally. When harvested, scorched, and dried, it can even be prepared as a dish.

The mountain also has many rare and exotic trees, including hundreds of species such as camphor trees, lacquer trees, and sandalwood trees. The most precious among them are the Chinese trumpet creeper, boxwood, and mountain oak, collectively known as the "Three Exotic Trees of Tianzhu." The Chinese trumpet creeper is a plant unique to Tianzhu Mountain. Growing on high cliffs and reaching skyward through the clouds, it is thus named the “Chinese trumpet creeper” (literally “reaching the sky tree”). It is also commonly called the “fish scale tree” by locals due to its fish-scale-like leaves. This tree is cold-resistant and windproof, stays evergreen throughout the year, and has a very graceful form. Its wood is hard and fine, suitable for carving seals or making walking sticks. When small saplings are transplanted into pots, their twisted old branches and scattered fish-scale-like leaves create a uniquely beautiful sight. Boxwood mostly grows in high-altitude, rarely visited areas. Though seldom exceeding ten feet in height, these trees can be a thousand years old. Their branches and leaves cluster densely and grow upright, producing no flowers or fruit, remaining green all year round. The wood is especially fine and smooth, making it ideal for furniture — not only durable and resistant to deformation or cracking, but also featuring a bright luster and elegant grain. The mountain oak is an evergreen shrub with small, finely serrated, smooth, and tough leaves. Its branches can grow up to 10–20 feet tall, and it blooms yellow flowers in autumn. Its wood is suitable for wood carving and is considered one of the rare and exotic trees of Tianzhu Mountain.