On March 31, Le Ngoc Tuan, the head of the Forest Protection Department of Thua Thien – Hue Province, announced that scientists have discovered and described a new plant species belonging to the wild garlic genus at the Phong Dien Nature Reserve (Phong Dien District, Thua Thien – Hue Province). This new species is known as Phong Dien Stone Garlic (scientific name: Aspidistra phongdiensis).
Phong Dien Stone Garlic – a newly discovered plant species for global science at the Phong Dien Nature Reserve, Thua Thien-Hue Province. (Photo: TTXVN).
Previously, during a second round of camera trap installation in 2022 at Sub-area 71 of the Phong Dien Nature Reserve, forest protection officers encountered a beautiful flowering garlic species growing on the cliffs of the Seven Fairy Falls (where samples had previously been collected and a species of serrated stamen was published). After collecting samples and collaborating with experts from the Vietnam National Museum of Nature, Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and Lomonosov University (Russia), the officials confirmed that this is a new species to science. Six months after the initial discovery and sample collection, the garlic species was published in the specialized journal Phytotaxa on March 30, 2023.
Phong Dien Stone Garlic belongs to the Asparagaceae family and resembles the garlic species A. khangii but differs in having broader leaf blades, a white outer floral envelope, yellow pollen, and distinct anthers and styles. With its unique floral structure, this new wild garlic species has been described and named after the Phong Dien Nature Reserve, the only location where this species has been found so far.
According to the head of the Forest Protection Department of Thua Thien – Hue Province, the discovery of Phong Dien wild garlic clearly demonstrates the biodiversity value of this Nature Reserve, which hosts many rare plant and animal species that have yet to be studied and understood. The discovery of this new species motivates forest protection officers and the Nature Reserve staff to continue their research and conservation efforts in this area, as well as for the entire ecosystem of Thua Thien – Hue Province.
The Phong Dien Nature Reserve covers an area of over 40,000 hectares, consisting of 43 sub-zones and is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, showcasing high biodiversity in Central Vietnam.
