The Critically Endangered Baohua yulan Magnolia zenii, a plant species endemic to China, has an extremely small population. It occurs only in Baohua Mountain National Forest Park in Jurong, Jiangsu Province. Li et al. (Journal of Plant Resources and Environment, 2024, 33, 98–105) reported 115 mature individuals and noted that seedlings were scarce. In new, comprehensive surveys across the species’ range in 2024 and 2025 we discovered 30 additional mature individuals and abundant, previously unrecorded seedlings. In total, 145 mature trees and c. 640 seedlings are now known. The main associated plant species include Phyllostachys edulis, Cyclobalanopsis glauca, Phoebe sheareri, Aphananthe aspera, Ilex cornuta, Trachelospermum jasminoides, Liriope spicata and Ophiopogon japonicus.

Despite this new, larger estimate of population size, the conservation status of M. zenii remains critical. Large trees in particular are threatened by extreme weather events such as freezing rain and typhoons, invasive species and human disturbance, including damage by visitors and the legacy of past quarrying. Heavy scree and herbaceous ground cover restrict seed germination and seedling establishment. Invasion by the bamboo Phyllostachys edulis also needs to be addressed through manual removal, to ensure sufficient space for regeneration of M. zenii. Although our survey confirms that M. zenii is able to regenerate naturally, there is ongoing habitat degradation, and targeted conservation strategies need to be formulated. A suitable habitat on the northern slope of Mount Baohua has been identified for potential reintroduction efforts.