Community characteristics and population dynamics of Osmanthus pubipedicellatus, a rediscovered critically endangered species based on morphological and molecular evidence.

Conservation of plant diversity is essential in the current status of rapid biodiversity loss. A critically endangered species of Oleaceae, was rediscovered in its type locality after nearly a century based on morphological and molecular evidence, further supplemented by a revised description. Meanwhile, the static life table was established, the survival curve was drawn, and the quantitative analysis of population dynamics was made to evaluate the populations status of . Additionally, we analyzed the community characteristics to understand its natural habitat. The results showed that mainly grows in dense forests dominated by plants from Lauraceae and Fagaceae. The static life table, survival curve, and quantitative analysis of population dynamics showed that the population is fluctuating and vulnerable to external disturbance. In general, the population of was characterized by few individuals, lacking of seedlings and small trees, a single peak pattern of age class distribution and a trend to decline in the future. Consequently, we strongly recommend that more field work and conservation measures should be taken to suppress the decline of the population.