Ottelia acuminata, a rare plant found only in China and which grows underwater, except for three-petaled flowers at the water's surface, was seen in full bloom on the Chengjiang River in Du'an county recently.

The aquatic plant is very sensitive to water quality and will die easily if the water is polluted.

Southern China used to have a wide distribution of the plant, especially in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and Yunnan province. The distribution area has gradually decreased since the 1960s due to pollution and water contamination.

Ottelia acuminata flowers are in full bloom along a river in Hechi's Du'an county, Sept 20. [Photo by Gao Dongfeng/www.news.cn]

Ottelia acuminata features three-petaled flowers. [Photo by Gao Dongfeng/www.news.cn]

The Chengjiang River in Du'an county, Hechi is seen covered with ottelia acuminata flowers on Sept 20. [Photo by Gao Dongfeng/www.news.cn]