VietNamNet Bridge - Discovering 13 new plant species within 13 years, Pham Van The, MA, an expert on reproductive biology, surprised everyone with the speed of his work. 

Pham Van The (left)

At the age of 36, The has a colossal scientific fortune with 11 plant genera and species discovered in Vietnam and two in Laos by him and his co-workers. One genus and three species have been named after him – The Viet Theana Vietnamica (an orchid species), The Tupistra theana (garlic) and The Gastrodia theana (orchid).

The first species discovered by The was Cam Cu Loc (Hoya lockii), an endemic species in Thua Thien – Hue province with ivory-white flowers. The plants live on tree branches and hollow trees in primeval forests at the height of 1,000 meters.

The named Cam Tu Loc after Professor Dr Phan Ke Loc, his teacher, in honor of the scientist’s great contributions to Vietnam science.

The has many times voiced his concern about the threat to biodiversity by human overexploitation.

“We can do well in conservation and multiplication. However, protecting plants against  human overexploitation remains a thorny problem,” he said.

In other countries, after scientists announced the discovery of new species, state agencies will immediately apply necessary measures to protect the species. But such strong measures still are not taken in Vietnam. 

Soon after scientists announced their discovery about Lan Hai Canh (Paphiopedilum Canhii), orchid traders rushed to collect them all, accepting to pay thousands of dollars for one tree. 

The also mentioned hoang dan tree (Cupressus tonkinensis Silba) in Huu Lung, Lang Son province. “This is a precious species. But there aren't many," The said.

“The biggest problem is that we cannot find any seedling,” he said.

“The same thing is occurring with bach vang (Callitropsis) in Ha Giang province,” he said.

If scientists cannot find the way to reproduce seedling, the species may disappear.

Together with his colleagues, The contributes to the project on bach vang multiplication in Ha Giang province headed by Dr Nguyen Tien Hiep.

“We collect shoots, germinate and then grow at household gardens to conserve the species,” he said. “The multiplication of hoang dan in Huu Lien also goes well with 70-80 percent of branches taking root."

The young scientist is now focusing on research work to increase natural regeneration ability and improve propagation from seeds for plant species in danger.

Kim Chi