Spotlight
The Last Stand of Euphrates Poplars
In the Taklamakan Desert, one or two particularly hardy species still do manage to eke out an existence. Among them is the Euphrates Poplar, which happens to be the only tree in the desert.
Program Video
Episode I
In the Taklamakan Desert, one or two particularly hardy species do manage to eke out an existence. Among them is the Euphrates Poplar, which happens to be the only tree in the desert.
Episode II
Fossil finds indicate that Euphrates Poplars were around way back in the Tertiary Period – that´s around 65 million years ago.
Episode III
Legend has it that Euphrates poplars can live for a thousand years; even after they die they don´t fall for another thousand years; and after they fall they don´t rot for a further thousand years.
Episode IV
Incidentally, in the local Uygur language the Euphrates Poplar is called "Tokolako", meaning the "most beautiful tree".
