KUNMING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A total of 17 Craigia Yunnanensis, a rare and endangered flowering plant, have been found in a natural reserve in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Researchers with Gaoligong Mountain national nature reserve found the species at an altitude of 1,400 to 1,700 meters on a mountain during a survey trip last December.

The species has been confirmed by Li Shuangzhi, a plant expert with Southwest Forestry University.

"The newly found Craigia Yunnanensis is of great value to ecogeographic studies in the region," Li said.

Craigia Yunnanensis is on China Species Red Lists and Red List of Threatened Species of International Union for Conservation of Nature.