Two new Castanopsis (chinquapin) species have recently beendiscovered in the Xuan Son National Park in the northern midlandprovince of Phu Tho, bringing the total number of the species of thegenus found in the park to eight.
Castanopsis grandicicatricatawas found 459 metres above sea level on the park’s lime stonemountain. It has a thick papery leafy texture, cupules 6 – 7centimetres in diameter, and a scar covering two-thirds of a nut, saidDr Vuong Duy Hung from the Vietnam Forestry University’s Faculty ofForest Resources and Environment Management.
About 832 metresabove sea level, Castanopsis multiporcata has 5 – 8 centimetre-longabaxial leaf blades, a firm papery leafy texture, 6 - 10 pairs ofsecondary veins, petioles 0.3 - 0.7 centimetres long, cupules 2 - 2.5centimetre in diameter, and a concave scar.
From 2013 to 2014,scientists uncovered two species of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), namely Alpinia pholyantha and Amomum putrescens, in the park. Bothwere recorded for the first time in Vietnam.
They also found a new species of Aspidistra scientifically named after the reserve, Aspidistra xuansonensis.
Surveysover recent years revealed various new flora species in the park,adding to the number of recorded species here from 726 in 2002 to thecurrent 1,252.
The Xuan Son National Park has an area of 15,048hectares and a buffer zone of 18,639 hectares. It is spread across thecommunes of Xuan Son, Kim Thuong, Xuan Dai, Dong Son, Tan Son, and LaiDong.
It is also home to more than 360 fauna species, including46 listed in Vietnam’s Red Book and 18 others in the World Red Book.Some are typical to the northwest region such as langurs, gibbons,civets, squirrels, bears, leopards, pheasants, and peacock pheasants.-VNA
Castanopsis grandicicatricatawas found 459 metres above sea level on the park’s lime stonemountain. It has a thick papery leafy texture, cupules 6 – 7centimetres in diameter, and a scar covering two-thirds of a nut, saidDr Vuong Duy Hung from the Vietnam Forestry University’s Faculty ofForest Resources and Environment Management.
About 832 metresabove sea level, Castanopsis multiporcata has 5 – 8 centimetre-longabaxial leaf blades, a firm papery leafy texture, 6 - 10 pairs ofsecondary veins, petioles 0.3 - 0.7 centimetres long, cupules 2 - 2.5centimetre in diameter, and a concave scar.
From 2013 to 2014,scientists uncovered two species of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), namely Alpinia pholyantha and Amomum putrescens, in the park. Bothwere recorded for the first time in Vietnam.
They also found a new species of Aspidistra scientifically named after the reserve, Aspidistra xuansonensis.
Surveysover recent years revealed various new flora species in the park,adding to the number of recorded species here from 726 in 2002 to thecurrent 1,252.
The Xuan Son National Park has an area of 15,048hectares and a buffer zone of 18,639 hectares. It is spread across thecommunes of Xuan Son, Kim Thuong, Xuan Dai, Dong Son, Tan Son, and LaiDong.
It is also home to more than 360 fauna species, including46 listed in Vietnam’s Red Book and 18 others in the World Red Book.Some are typical to the northwest region such as langurs, gibbons,civets, squirrels, bears, leopards, pheasants, and peacock pheasants.-VNA
