TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Formosa Chrysanth (蓬萊油菊), a critically endangered plant native to Taiwan, has been planted at a Taichung elementary school, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency Taichung announced Thursday.

The plant’s seeds were obtained from their native forest habitat. After two years of cultivation at an altitude of 1,000 m, they were introduced to Baileng Elementary School.

The initiative transforms the school’s green spaces into an “ark” for preserving threatened plants, the agency noted. It integrates ecological education into the students' lives, fostering environmental awareness.

The Formosa Chrysanth (Dendranthema horaimontana) thrives in sunny, rocky terrain at elevations between 1,000 and 2,000 m, preferring cooler conditions. It is only known to be distributed in semi-shaded mountain slopes at altitudes of 1,200 to 1,400 m in Taichung's Heping Township, according to the Taiwan Botanic Database.

Listed as critically endangered in the 2017 Red List of Vascular Plants of Taiwan, the species has a small restricted population. Fewer than 250 mature, reproducing individuals are spread across less than 100 square kilometers.

Formosa Chrysanth habitat was severely impacted by Taiwan's 921 Earthquake in 1999, leading to a decline in both its range and habitat quality. It is predicted the plants will decrease by more than 50% within the next decade.

Blooming throughout the year but most profusely in autumn, the plant is highly valued for landscape beautification. Further cultivation efforts are planned, including planting the species in areas such as Basianshan National Forest Recreation Area to create a native plant flower viewing site.