Recently, two giant konjac in the exhibition greenhouse of the China National Botanical Garden (North Garden) bears red fruits, like two bright torches.

In July 2022, the China National Botanical Garden (North Garden) saw the first giant konjac group flowering period, which is significant because the giant konjac can only be cross-pollinated and pollination can only be achieved when two individuals bloom at the same time.

Although the Beijing Botanical Garden (now the North Garden of the China National Botanical Garden) had achieved quadruplets in 2013, the white konjac pollen was used for hybridization, which only stimulated fruit expansion and did not bear fully mature seeds. This year, the pollen collected from a single plant in the group flowering was pollinated in turn, and the fruit swelled and colored smoothly after flowering. In August, when the fruit was dissected, an obvious embryo was found. Subsequently, the inflorescence stalk lengthened rapidly, and the fruit grew rapidly. Because the fruit was precious, the staff did not cut the fruit again. More than two months later, the staff conducted a second anatomical observation of the giant konjac fruit with anticipation. They were pleasantly surprised to find that the seeds had formed, the seed coat had grown significantly, the seeds had been separated from the pulp by themselves, and the giant konjac had born fruits for the first time in China!

This achievement reflects the advanced cultivation and protection of the China National Botanical Garden and is of great significance to the ecological conservation of the rare and endangered plant giant konjac. In the future, the China National Botanical Garden will further strengthen the scientific research on the giant konjac, and strive to achieve breakthroughs.

Translator: YE Lijuan

Reviewer: SHI Meiling