Abstract: Diplopanax stachyanthus, which belongs to the genus Diplopanax within the family Araliaceae, is a living fossil plant and listed among the Grade II State-Protected Endangered Plants. It is distributed mainly in warm and moist mountains in Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces. D.stachyanthus often grows in the evergreen broad-leaved forest or the evergreen-boreal forest. The adult D.stachyanthus constitutes the main component of the tree layer. Its distribution areas are characterized by relatively higher altitudes, warm and moist climate, and sufficient heat energy. D.stachyanthus grows slowly and blooms and produces seed after 30 a growth. Our field surveys attributed its endangered status to a variety of factors, including low seed yield and germination rate, low survival rate of seedlings, low competitiveness of populations, and human disturbance. To preserve this endangered plant, we suggest the emphasis of any conservation effort should be placed upon in situ conservation, with ex situ measures as a supplementary choice, so as to preserve a maximum of its genetic diversity.

Key words: Diplopanax stachyanthus, endangered, living fossil plant, protection