Vietnamese and international scientists have announced the discovery of a new plant species at Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. The species, named Decaneuropsis phongnhakebangensis (locally known as “Bach Dau Phong Nha – Ke Bang”), was officially published in the 100th Anniversary Memorial Volume of the Journal of Japanese Botany (J. Jap. Bot. Memorial Volume 100).
The discovery was made during a joint biodiversity training and research program between the Institute of Tropical Biology (Viet Nam) and the Kagoshima Museum of Natural History (Japan). From December 5–13, 2024, the research team conducted field surveys on limestone mountains in multiple areas of the park, including Tra Ang – Ozo, Km 37, Km 40, U Bo, Road 20, Sinh Ton Valley, Khe Gat, and Cha Noi. Vegetation plots of 100m × 5m were established at Va Cave – Nuoc Nut, where vascular plant species were recorded along with data on tree height and girth. In total, 520 specimens representing around 250 species from 90 families of vascular plants were collected.
The newly discovered plant species Decaneuropsis phongnhakebangensis in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, Viet Nam.
After analysis, the team confirmed Decaneuropsis phongnhakebangensis as a new species belonging to the genus Decaneuropsis, family Asteraceae (daisy family), order Asterales, class Magnoliopsida, phylum Tracheophyta. It was found in shrubby limestone forest at an elevation of 777 meters within the park on December 10, 2024.
Morphologically, the species is a climbing shrub reaching up to 5 meters in height. Young branches are covered with short yellow-brown hairs, while older stems are smooth. Leaves are alternate, obovate or elliptic, 2.1–10.2 × 1.0–3.4 cm, thin, glabrous above and sparsely hairy beneath. Flower heads grow singly or in small clusters at branch tips or leaf axils, with bell-shaped capitula 1.6–1.8 cm in diameter. The corolla is funnel-shaped, dark purple, 12.3 mm long. Stamens are 4.3 mm, ovary cylindrical, 5–5.8 mm with 11–12 ribs, and pappus hairs about 9.5 mm, yellow-brown.
Flower and leaf morphology of Decaneuropsis phongnhakebangensis (Bach Dau Phong Nha – Ke Bang).
The discovery of Decaneuropsis phongnhakebangensis represents an important contribution to plant taxonomy, particularly in understanding the relationships within the genus Decaneuropsis worldwide. It enriches Viet Nam’s biodiversity inventory and underscores the critical role of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in conserving rare plant genetic resources. Scientists recommend urgent conservation measures to protect the species from extinction risks.
To date, Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park has recorded 2,956 plant species across 1,009 genera, 198 families, 63 orders, 12 classes, and 6 phyla, along with 1,404 animal species from 842 genera, 294 families, 68 orders, 12 classes, and 4 phyla. Among them, seven plant species new to science have been formally described and published both nationally and internationally.
My Hanh
