Pleione refers to an Oceanid nymph in Greek mythology. In Taiwan, it is known as the ¡§one-leaf orchid¡¨, as it sports a single leaf. Pleione Formosana is found in the misty regions between altitudes of 1500 meters and 2500 meters. Besides Alishan, it can also be spotted in Mount Taiping, Mount Lala, and Mount Nandawu. As early as 1914, it was exhibited in the British Royal Botanic Gardens. In the 20th century it received six awards at the Royal Horticulture competitions.

Well-known for its beauty, Pleione Formosana was ¡§hunted¡¨ to near extinction. In 1992, the Council of Agriculture announced the establishment of the Pleione Formosana Protected Area in Alishan; an exhibition area was also set up in Mianyueh Shihhou. From then on, the orchid was officially protected by our cultural heritage law.

Jheng Meili has published a book on Pleione Formosana; from 1992 to 1999, she had been involved in the plant¡¦s monitoring program. According to her, studies of plants require a lot of patience. Researchers lined out sampling areas in the protected areas, and monthly records were kept. The numbers, growth, accompanying plants and pollinators of the orchids were dutifully recorded. Areas without the orchids were listed as controls; researchers harbored the hopes of finding orchids there eventually.

After the September 21 earthquake, the Mianyueh railway track was disrupted, making research even more inaccessible. Researchers had to take a bus to the mouth of the tunnel before trekking a long distance to the site.

For Jheng Meili, being part of the research team was a valuable and special experience. She said laughingly, ¡§During that time I thought it was really hard work, having to travel all that distance, sometimes in terribly cold weather. But now I hardly remember the hardship, only the happy times remain in my memories.¡¨

Under protection, Pleione Formosana recovered its lost grounds rapidly. Now, the protected area in Mianyueh boasts of hundreds of blooming orchids every year.

¡§Through my research I have become much more familiar with Alishan. It is quite a treasure trove ¡V full of the wonders of nature. It is such a pity to just visit the tourist spots in Alishan.¡¨ Jheng remarked.

Besides the orchid, sightings of other animals made her trips unforgettable as well: the Mikado pheasant, the Swinhoe¡¦s pheasant, and the Formosan rock monkeys etc. The bright colors of the deciduous trees during fall season were memorable as well.

Travel to Alishan, and visit our treasure Pleione Formosana. Alishan has more to offer than its famed sunsets, seas of clouds, trains, and ancient trees.