Recording the natural distribution of a new orchid species for Vietnam: Dendrobium farinatum
Joint Research Group of Institute of Tropical Biology (ITB), Hòn Bà nature reserve and Pra Botanical Garden 07/2011
In this paper, the authors: H. Schildhauer and W. Schraut described an orchid species named Dendrobium farinatum originally coming from Vietnam as a new species to science in Vietnam. This species was brought to the Federal Republic of Germany in 2004 for commercial purposes. According to the magazine, the origin of this species was not clear, but probably was Lai Chau province in Northwest Vietnam, and the elevation of the area where this species was collected was estimated from 800 to 900m above sea level.
A scientific tripartite cooperation program between the Institute of Tropical Biology (ITB) (belonging to Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), the Hon Ba Nature Reserve (Khanh Hoa province) and the Prague Botanical Garden (PBG), conducted a short visit in 2010 and a deep survey in 2011. During the 1st survey in 2011 (from June 21 to July 17, 2011), they officially recorded the presence of Dendrobium farinatum species in Hon Ba Nature Reserve at elevations below 1200 – 1500m. It is the first time that this species has been recorded in a natural environment in Vietnam. In other words, Hon Ba Nature Reserve has become the first clearly identified natural habitat of the Dendrobium farinatum in Vietnam. The species was collected in July with its flowers.
Ecology: presence along the roadside with broad-leaf mixed forest types.
Currently, the research team is going to conduct additional research in an attempt to have a better understanding of the distribution and ecology of this species in the wild, so that we can find good conservation solutions for this endemic orchid species in Vietnam.
In order to get good results from the survey, the team appreciates the very valuable assistance of the Institute of Tropical Biology, Hon Ba Nature Reserve and the Khanh Hoa provincial departments.
Note : team members:Trương quang Tâm, Nguyễn Trần Vỹ, Trương bá Vương (ITB) Nguyễn Hạnh,Trịnh Tấn Thành (KBTHB) K. Pterzelka, Jan Ponert . Romana Rybková (PBG) et al..
References
(1) Orchideen Journal Volume 11 ,2004 page 374:"Vereinigung Deutscher Orchideenfreunde e.V". source : http://www.vdof.de/alt_5.htm
Translated by Nguyen Tran Vy
