Chinese botanists have developed globeflowers which can flower all year round and in wider geographical locations, said managers of a nurturing project in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Tuesday.

Globeflowers, or Trollius chinensis, have bright yellow or orange flowers. They usually blossom only in July and August.

However, new breeding technology, developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Bureau of the Zhenglan Banner of Xilingol League, can prolong their flowering season to the whole year, said Ai Baosheng, manager of the project.

"In 2012, we plan to plant the improved globeflower seeds on an area of 60 mu (4 hectares) and then increase its planting area year after year," Ai said.

Globeflowers are not only popular in horticulture, but are also an important ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, so domestic demand for it is 1,000 tons annually. But the supply is only 200 tons, Ai said.

"Therefore, growing globeflowers will be a lucrative business which can create 6,000 yuan ($952) of annual income per mu for farmers," Ai said.

Globeflowers' strict requirements for hydro-climatic conditions mean that the only places the species can be found in China are parts of northern Hebei Province, southern Inner Mongolia region and Shanxi Province. Their growing area has been dwindling due to local climate change.

(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2012)