A rare Chinese yew tree, believed to be about 3,000 years old, was discovered in Jilin province in China, claimed authorities.
The living tree is located in Huanggou Forest. It is more than 40 metres tall and has a diameter of 1.68 metres, Xinhua news agency quoted Yang Yongsheng, head of the forest administration, as saying.
As per reports, this tree was among the more than 30 Chinese yew trees discovered earlier this week in the forest.
Called a "living fossil" of the plant world, the Chinese yew has existed for 2.5 million years.
Since many of the trees have been harvested to extract taxol, used to treat cancer, the species is now under first-grade national protection for endangered plants.
(With Agency input)
