List of protected plants more than doubles

Another 268 plants have been added to China's List of Wild Plants under State Priority Conservation, highlighting the central authorities' resolve to protect the country's biodiversity.

The list, released by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on Wednesday, now covers 455 wild plants.

Fifty-four species, including Pinus squamata (Qiaojia pine) and Taxus, are under top-level protection, with the other 401, including Fritillaria and Danxiaorchis (Danxia orchid), under second-level protection.