HAIKOU -- A new pepper species has been discovered in South China's Hainan province, according to the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences.

The new species, Piper jianfenglingense, is found in evergreen broadleaf forests at elevations between 500 and 800 meters at the Jianfengling National Nature Reserve in the province's Ledong Li autonomous county, according to the academy.

"The new species is the 61st pepper species found in China, of which Hainan Province has 12," said Dr Hao Chaoyun, a researcher with the Spice and Beverage Research Institute of the academy.

The species is listed as critically endangered according to the standards of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which calls for further investigation and protection.

"It is important to protect and investigate the species, considering bio-diversity and its values for use," said Hao. He said his team is researching its use in medicine, breeding, and horticulture.