Lyonia ovalifolia, a deciduous to evergreen shrub related to other Lyonia genus members that are commonly known as fetterbush, has recently been spotted at Tiantou Mountain in Pingshan District. It is the first time that the plant has been found in Shenzhen, according to the district’s ecology protection authority.

Lyonia ovalifolia flowers spotted in Pingshan. Photo from the WeChat account "pingshanfb"

The discovery was made in October during investigations of the district’s plants and animals in multiple ecological areas including Maluan Mountain, Tiantou Mountain, Songzikeng Reservoir and Chi’ao Reservoir.

Thus far, one plant under first-level national protection and seven plants under second-level national protection, as well as one animal under first-level national protection and 13 animals under second-level national protections, have been found in Pingshan’s ecological areas.