Cycas taitungensis

Cycas taitungensis is a species of genus "Cycas" endemic to Taitung County, south-eastern Taiwan. "C. taitungensis", an evergreen tree, can grow up to about tall. The species was not described until 1994, but its specimen was once applied as the type of species "Cycas taiwaniana", which is not really distributed in Taiwan according to the further research.
"C. taitungensis" is one of the ancient "living fossils" left over after many major changes on the earth. It has been around for more than 140 million years. The precious wild "C. taitungensis" has been decimated rapidly due to frequent deforestation and pirate harvesting. At present, it is very rare in the wild.
"C. taitungensis" was listed by the "IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants" in category "vulnerable" in 1997. However, small range, decline of mature specimens, and attack by invasive "Aulacaspis" scale (Diaspididae) warranted classification as "endangered" in 2010.
Distribution.
"C. taitungensis" is found in:
In Taitung Hungyeh Village Cycas Nature Reserve, it is threatened by "Aulacaspis yasumatsui", the cycad aulacaspis scale.