Comprehensive field assessments are crucial for identifying and conserving endemic plant species with restricted distributions. Biological surveys and targeted field investigations (Scheffers et al., Reference Scheffers, Yong, Harris, Giam and Sodhi2011; Paglia et al., Reference Paglia, Luber, Mansano and Freitas2022) are rediscovering an increasing number of species but protecting them is a challenge because of their rarity, the remote and difficult-to-access areas where they persist, and a lack of knowledge about their specific habitat requirements (Hernández-Lambraño et al., Reference Hernández-LambraÑo, Carbonell and Sánchez-Agudo2020; Long & Rodríguez, Reference Long and Rodríguez2022). Alpine species, in particular, occur in ecosystems with unique environmental features that are highly vulnerable to climate change (Verrall & Pickering, Reference Verrall and Pickering2020). Whilst global warming induces both positive and negative changes in the growth and survival of alpine plants, the overall effects on rare species are difficult to predict (Walther et al., Reference Walther, Beißner and Burga2005; Steinbauer et al., Reference Steinbauer, Grytnes, Jurasinski, Kulonen, Lenoir and Pauli2018; D’Alò et al., Reference D’Alò, Odriozola, Baldrian, Zucconi, Ripa and Cannone2021; Dolezal et al., Reference Dolezal, Jandova, Macek, Mudrak, Altman and Schweingruber2021).

Meconopsis florindae Kingdon-Ward (Papaveraceae) is endemic to Xizang, China. It was first collected in flower on 2 August 1924 in an open area at the edge of a Abies spp. forest near Tra La in the Rong Chu Valley of Nyingchi at an elevation of 3,350 m (syntypes: F. Kingdon-Ward 6038, K-000653265, BM-000547046, E-00060622). On 27 September 1924, Kingdon-Ward revisited the site and collected specimens with mature seed capsules (syntypes: F. Kingdon-Ward 6206, E-00060623, K-000653266; Kingdon-Ward, Reference Kingdon-Ward1926a,Reference Kingdon-Wardb,Reference Kingdon-Wardc). However, the species’ extremely narrow distribution, exacerbated by changes to the names of geographical locations in the region, meant there were no new reliable records until 2020. The lack of specimens and unknown status of wild populations led to the species being categorized as Least Concern on the China Biodiversity Red List - Higher Plants (2020) (Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2023) and Not Evaluated on the IUCN Red List (IUCN, 2025). Grey-Wilson (Reference Grey-Wilson2014) designated BM-000547046 as the lectotype and the other specimens listed above as isolectotypes. However, he did not reference the original publication by Kingdon-Ward (Reference Kingdon-Ward1926b), which is a valid publication of the name according to Article 38.2 of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants (Shenzhen Code; Turland et al., Reference Turland, Wiersema, Barrie, Greuter, Hawksworth and Herendeen2018), diagnostically describing M. florindae as ‘the only dwarf, yellow-flowered Meconopsis known’.

We conducted three targeted field surveys to search for M. florindae during its flowering and fruiting periods in 2021–2023 around Lulang Town, Bayi District, Nyingchi City, Xizang. We established two transect lines along existing primitive roads near the type locality described by Kingdon-Ward. These transect lines traversed elevations between 3,350 and 4,000 m, covering the altitudinal range of M. florindae and accounting for potential vegetation migration to higher elevations because of global warming. The transect line at the original type specimen collection site (near Tra La in the Rong Chu Valley; Kingdon-Ward, Reference Kingdon-Ward1926c) was c. 4.5 km long; the second transect was located c. 12 km west of Tra La and measured c. 10.5 km. In July 2021 we surveyed only the type location transect line, in August 2022 both transect lines, and in August 2023 only the transect line west of Tra La. Each transect line was visited once during the survey months. We found no evidence of M. florindae along the transect at the type location. However, in August 2022 we discovered a population of 12 plants at the site west of Tra La (Fig. 1). This population was located in Abies spp. forest, on open, steep, rocky slopes (1–2 m high) that had been formed during construction works along the roadside (Plate 1). The habitat was similar to that described by Kingdon-Ward (Reference Kingdon-Ward1926b) but at a higher altitude (3,840–3,863 m). The species occupied a highly specialized ecological niche, being absent from roadside areas at lower altitude and from less open sites. Its distribution was confined to a narrow strip adjacent to the road (c. 1 m wide and 120 m long; 120 m²), where plants were clumped together. The 12 plants found in August 2022 included seven seedlings and five mature individuals; by August 2023 the population had increased to 18, comprising 10 seedlings and eight mature plants. Given the small population size, we did not collect any specimens and made photographic records only.

Fig. 1 Location of Meconopsis florindae in Bayi District, Xizang, China: site of type specimen collection in the Tra La area (1924) and rediscovered population (2023).

Plate 1 Meconopsis florindae: (a) the lectotype in the Natural History Museum, London, UK (BM-000547046), (b) floral characteristics, (c) natural habitat, (d) mature individuals bearing fruit. Photos: (a) downloaded from Global Plants (2024), (b–d) Bo Xu.

Meconopsis florindae is a monocarpic perennial, which makes it vulnerable to threats and may limit its recovery and re-establishment. Also, Meconopsis are generally not self-compatible (Grey-Wilson, Reference Grey-Wilson2014), which restricts reproductive potential in small and isolated populations. With just a single, small population, genetic diversity is expected to be low, amplifying the risk of inbreeding, genetic drift and extinction.

Based on the single population located in our field surveys, comprising a small number of plants in a vulnerable habitat, we categorized M. florindae as Critically Endangered based on IUCN Red List criteria B (geographical range) and D (very small and restricted populations), specifically B2ab(i,ii,iii) and D, i.e. with area of occupancy < 10 km² (B2), known to exist at only one location (a), with a continuing decline (b) projected in extent of occurrence (i), area of occupancy (ii), area, extent and quality of habitat (iii), and with the number of mature individuals < 50 (D) (IUCN, 2012, 2024).

We identified the primary threats to M. florindae from the information gathered in our field surveys and from informal interviews with nine individuals, including staff from the local Forestry and Grassland Bureau and community herders. We categorized the identified threats according to the IUCN Threats Classification Scheme, Version 3.3 (IUCN, 2001): 2.31 Nomadic Grazing, 4.1 Roads & Railroads, 10.3 Landslides and 11.1 Habitat Shifting & Alteration; see Table 1 for details.

Table 1 Main threats to Meconopsis florindae following the IUCN Threats Classification Scheme Version 3.3 (IUCN, 2001).

In this study, we confirmed the fragile population status of M. florindae and identified the main threats to its survival. It is a narrowly distributed endemic species and a range of conservation measures are needed to ensure its survival (Wu et al., Reference Wu, Wu and Zhang2023). We recommend a combination of in situ and ex situ interventions, community engagement and further field surveys. We suggest that the site of the newly discovered population of M. florindae should be established as a micro-reserve (Médail et al., Reference Médail, Diadema, Pouget and Baumel2021) with practical interventions including reinforcing the rocky slope habitat where it is found and long-term monitoring of plant numbers, environmental conditions and threats. Further studies to provide baseline data should encompass phenology, population ecology, pollination ecology, population genetics and molecular systematics. In situ actions should be supported by collecting and depositing seeds in the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species in Kunming, China, to preserve the genetic resource of the species. Although it is challenging to cultivate Meconopsis, ex situ conservation has been carried out successfully for six species of this genus and may be possible for M. florindae. Conservation work should include further field surveys to locate additional populations of M. florindae, focusing on hard-to-reach cliffs and exposed rock slopes near the current population. No populations were found in recent surveys at the site of the original collection in the Tra La area but this area should be searched again. Finally, it is important to raise local awareness through community engagement and education. These initiatives should highlight the species’ Critically Endangered status and prevent human-induced damage, especially from infrastructure development and livestock grazing.