Distribution and habitat
The entrance chamber of Fengshan cave in Guangxi, south west China, where Elatostema fengshanense was first discovered in 2008. The chamber in the picture is about 90m deep, 100m wide and the ceiling 50m high. Plants can be seen growing over giant stalagmites in the background. © Alex Monro
Elatostema fengshanense is found growing in deep shade in 4 caves in south west China, where there can be less than 0.5% daylight. Little is known about how cave-dwelling species like Elatostema fengshanense survive in such low light and nutrient poor conditions.
More than 30 cave-dwelling species of Elatostema are known from this habitat and, as we continue to explore caves across southern China we are finding many undescribed species that are new to science. This suggests there are probably many more taxa remaining to be discovered.