Averyanov L., Phan Ke Loc, Nguyen Tien Hiep,
Pham Van The, Chu Xuan Canh, Nguyen Tien Vinh
PRELIMINARY
PROGRAMS
REPORT
FOR
RESEARCH
EXPLORATION
ASSESSMENT OF DISTRIBUTION AND NATURAL STATUS OF
PAPHIOPEDLUM CANHII, VIETNAM
The Rufford Small Grant Foundation
ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT NATURAL STATUS OF CRITICALLY
ENDANGERED SPECIES - PAPHIOPEDLUM CANHII FOR ITS CONSERVATION
Chicago Zoological Society, Chicago Board of Trade Endangered Species Fund
CONTENT
Background and introduction
History of discovery and study of Paphiopedilum canhii
Landscape and typical landforms in studied area
Specific character of landscape and landforms in area of discovered habitat
of Paphiopedilum canhii
Main kinds of vegetation in studied area
Characteristic of Paphiopedilum canhii habitats
Paphiopedilum canhii in its natural habitats and estimation of its present status
Taxonomy, morphology and biology of Paphiopedilum canhii
History of exploitation and extinction of Paphiopedilum canhii
Main factors of Paphiopedilum canhii extinction
Remarkable plant species associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii in
its home area
Literature cited
Technical and financial report
Appendix 1. List of collected species
Appendix 2. Notes to report illustrations
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Summary. The first stage of research program funded from The Rufford Small Grant Foundation
and Chicago Zoological Society, Chicago Board of Trade Endangered Species Fund for field
assessment of recently discovered Paphiopedilum canhii was completed during December 2010.
New original data were obtained for habitat and natural conditions of 5 discovered subpopulations of
P. canhii in course of program studies. Accompanied plant species and vegetation were shortly
described and documented with about 1000 collected herbarium specimens. Negative factors leading
to fast species extinction are analyzed and discussed. On the base of preliminary studies it is
suggested present status of the species as CR, approaching to full extinction in the near future.
Actual salvation of species exclusively possible by its introduction into culture. Among accompanied
plants in native area of P. canhii were discovered 2 new genera (Phylacium and Sinocrassula) and 9
species new for the flora of Vietnam (Coelogyne micrantha, Cuscuta formosana, Cymbidium
cyperifolium, Dendrobium senile, Monomeria gymnopus, Phylacium majus, Pyrrosia
nummulariifolia, Schoenorchis fragrans and Sinocrassula indica). One genus (x Lockia) and 4
species (from such genera as Dendrobium, Poaephyllum and Schoenorchis) among discovered
orchids are proposed for description as a new for science. Observations and plant records are
illustrated with high resolution images.
BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION
Recent field explorations outlined rocky limestone areas of northern Vietnam with their highly
endangered primary forests as unique very significant center of Paphiopedilum speciation and
1
diversity (Averyanov et al., 2003). These studies reveal on this territory more than 25 geographically
isolated local endemics of this genus with dramatically restrict and disjunctive distribution
(Averyanov, 2008; Liu Zhong-Jian, et al., 2009a, b). Many of them were formally described outside
of Vietnam on the base of specimens exported from the country by plant traders. Very often in this
situation biological sciences got no any reliable information about nature of such species,
populations of which were extinguished before professional botanical study. Sometime such field
investigations were organized too late, when species already completely extinct in the wild due to
total over collecting as it happened, for example, with Paphiopedilum vietnamense and P.
tranlienianum (Averyanov et al., 2001; Averyanov, 2003, 2004). Despite obvious significance of
botanical explorations in unexplored areas for informal understanding and discoveries of plant
diversity for timely protection, such projects are poorly funded. Without such studies a great number
of strictly endemic species become extinct before their discovery and description by scientific annals
of our civilization in conditions of commercial collecting, wide deforestation and total collapse of
native habitats.
Proposed exploration program expected field study of Paphiopedilum canhii, species recently
discovered in northwestern Vietnam (Averyanov et al., 2010) for identification of its distribution,
status in nature and elaboration of strategy for its possible protection. It was previously expected that
species with high probability has extremely restrict, limited distribution in northwestern part of
Vietnam, presumably in Dien Bien or Son La Province in limestone areas allied to Laotian border,
home of such significant ornamental locally endemical orchid species as Bulbophyllum
paraemarginatum, Dendrobium farinatum, Dendrobium trantuanii, D. vietnamense, Hayata
glandulifera, Paphiopedilum aspersum, P. coccineum, Sunipia nigricans, etc. (Perner, Dang, 2003;
Schildhauer, Schraut, 2004; Averyanov, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009).
HISTORY OF DISCOVERY AND STUDY OF PAPHIOPEDILUM CANHII
Vietnamese people like orchids. More or less large orchid collections or small family orchid home
gardens may be often seen in any city, town or even village all over the country. Various orchids for
cultivation may be bought easily on neighbour local markets or just along roads where they cross
areas with remains of primary woods. Plants for sale are usually offered by local people who
commonly crop selling plants in nearest vicinities, regularly in degraded primary forest legging and
burning for their primitive agricultural fields. Such fields are permanently expanded and successively
replace primary forests in many botanically unexplored areas. Orchid collecting in such places time
to time brings to the market rare, interesting and even undescribed orchids. Similar story was happen
with discovery of Paphiopedilum canhii.
Orchid growers in Dien Bien and Son La cities firstly denoted samples of unusual slipper orchid that
were appeared on the market at the end of 2009. This plant reflected certain attention of many orchid
lowers and plant dealers who reasonably suspect that unusual plant may represent new undescribed
species. First persons who introduced the plant to scientific society were Mr. Chu Xuan Canh and
Mr. Bui Xuan Dang observing market plants in Dien Bien city and in Hanoi.
In fact Paphiopedilum canhii was described on the base of few plants that were brought from remote
mountain area at the end of 2009 by H’Mong (Meo) people to office of “Civilian Governmental
Service for Care of Natural Resources and Connections with Local Minorities” (Natural Resources
Governance, CARE International in Vietnam). At the office, plants were received by Service Officer
– Mr. Chu Xuan Canh, who kept plants for further study and description. Even preliminary study
revealed unique character and very isolated taxonomical position of collected plants that resulted in
immediate description of new species for science – Paphiopedilum canhii (Averyanov et al., 2010),
named after its actual discoverer.
The publication of discovered species attracted great attention in orchidology and horticulture, as
well as activated interests of international orchid trade. The increasing of market demands for newly
described species leads to fast rice of cost and plant collecting in the nature. At the same time native
area of species long time remained unknown being “know-how” of commercial collectors.
According to indirect data species represents very restricted local endemism of limestone areas in
2
limits of Dien Bien and Son La provinces. It was expected that this plant probably may be found in
alone or few localities and its populations may stands presently on the verge of extinction.
Assessment of distribution and status of Paphiopedilum canhii was main goal of the current
exploration program with field works started in December 2010.
According to primarily elaborated plan of investigation in present exploration program were
successively fulfilled following actions.
Firstly all available indirect relevant information was obtained from local orchid markets, orchid
lovers, growers and local dealers in the area of exploration. Additional data were obtained by talks
with local peoples, village authorities, local foresters in cooperation with officers of Forest
Protection Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. On the base of
analysis of this information basic plan of field expedition for detailed field study of 12 regions of
expected species occurrence was elaborated and realized during January 2010. Eventually alone
locality of Paphiopedilum canhii was found. Short description of discovered habitats was made
along with preliminary study of vegetation and natural conditions. It was also made estimation of
number of plants in 5 discovered subpopulations and expected area of species distribution, as well as
identification species status in the wild on the base of original field investigations. Also were
preliminary studied species phenology and seed production with identification of optimal time for
seed collecting for further possible seed propagation and possible repatriation. Recommendations for
reliable strategy of species conservation on the base of obtained data, including training educational
aspect for local people in the area of species habitats are proposed.
Methodology of car and feet trips in remote mountain areas for personal field investigations of the
flora and vegetation in possible regions of Paphiopedilum canhii occurrence (Son La, Lai Chau and
Dien Bien Provinces) was used in current exploration program. These trips were connected with hire
of local people and foresters as a field guides and cooperation with Forest Protection Department
officers. Estimation of number of plants, number and size of populations, as well description of
habitat conditions and vegetation will were fulfilled according to standard geobotany and plant
geography methods. Voucher specimens documenting plant species records and descriptions of plant
communities will be housed in HN, LE and MO Herbaria. All explorations were illustrated with high
resolution photography.
LANDSCAPE AND TYPICAL LANDFORMS IN STUDIED AREA
First information about existence of Paphiopedilum canhii come from northwestern Vietnam. In fact
P. canhii was firstly observed in sale on local markets in Dien Bien and Son La cities. This fact with
high probability indicates northwestern part of Vietnam in limits of Dien Bien and Son La provinces,
as well as allied regions of Laos as most probable native area of the species. The area accepted for
study is shown on figures 1 and 2. The northern part of studied area (except granite Hoang Lien Son
Range) represents a number of successive vast alluvial valleys with shale rolling hills and low
mountains up to 1500 (2000) m a.s.l. Valleys are appeared as wide, broad depressions covered by
unconsolidated Quaternary sediments or occasionally with olivine basalt (Chu Van Ngoi, Luong Thi
Thu Hoai, 2007) with valley bottoms elevated to 500-600 m a.s.l. Often they exhibit scattered, more
or less isolated systems of remnant, rocky mesa-like hills or mountains, composed with highly
eroded, marble like Devonian and Triassic limestone (Fig. 3-5). These spectacular formations with
karstic rocky vertical cliffs elevated commonly up to 800-1000 m a.s.l., but sometime reach 13001400 m a.s.l. (Fig. 6-10).
Some limestone massives in SW part of studied area represent more or less highly eroded peneplains
that forms continues lines of more or less dissected limestone plateaus extending from NW to SE
direction. Largest of them are Son La and Moc Chau with elevations up to 1500-1700 m a.s.l. spread
along the Song Da River. Narrow canyons or very deep river valleys separate these plateaus and
ridges. This zone of Devonian and Triassic limestone within the peripheral areas of these plateaus
appears as a spectacular area of highly eroded karst impressive rocky topography (Averyanov, et al.,
2003).
3
SPECIFIC CHARACTER OF LANDSCAPE AND LANDFORMS IN AREA OF
DISCOVERED HABITAT OF PAPHIOPEDILUM CANHII
All available relevant information on Paphiopedilum canhii received from orchid lower, dealers and
local people in Dien Bien and Son La provinces was studied and analyzed before start of field work
stage of the project realization. It was preliminarily detected on the base of this information that
species should occur in the area of mentioned provinces near Laotian border, most probably on rocky
limestone. All slipper orchids are obligate element of intact primary forests. Wide extinction of such
forests strongly restricted possible regions for perspective field searches. Our field overview and
special surveys (Collins, Sayer, Whitmore, 1991) indicate that more than 99.5% of primary forests in
the area presently completely extinct due to shifting primitive agriculture, forest logging and timber
exploitation for fuelwood. Miserable pieces of remained primary forests may be estimated now as
covering less than 1% of total territory. Such unique remnant forest stands were located in few
remote mountain regions of studied area in close cooperation with Forest Protection Department of
the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. As only primary forests support populations of
sensitive aboriginal species including Paphiopedilum species, some of these localities were selected
for preliminary field exploration (Fig. 2).
In the course of field works according to present exploration program 12 localities of remnant
primary forests were found and studied (Fig. 2). Studied localities represent last highly degraded
remnants of primary forests in the area that nevertheless still remained intact nucleus of aboriginal
flora with very rich aboriginal species composition. Highest level of species diversity and endemism
was observed in the area on rocky limestone formations. In such conditions was also found
Paphiopedilum canhii.
Alone known till now native area of Paphiopedilum canhii was found during present explorations in
Dien Bien province, to the SW of Dien Bien City, in Dien Bien District on the territory of Na U
Municipality. It represents very small isolated massif of few scattered remnant limestone hills
composed with highly eroded marble-like rocky limestone with numerous steep slopes and vertical
cliffs (Fig. 12-16). These limestone formations topographically are inserted between rolling shale
hills on watershed of western tributaries of Nam He River (Fig. 11), but some of them are towered
just on flat river valley (Fig. 13). Total square of this hilly limestone massif not exceed 4 km2 (Fig.
11, 12). Tops of limestone remnant hills elevated from 850 to 1050 m a.s.l. still retain severely
fragmented degraded pieces of primary forest that give home to remains of aboriginal species. At the
same time this limestone refuge is surrounded by shale hills covered by poor weedy secondary plant
communities and valleys occupied by agricultural fields (Fig. 12). High anthropogenic
transformation of landscape gives no chance to find populations of rare sensitive native species like
P. canhii in any vicinities of this area outside studied fragments of rich humid primary limestone
forest.
In discovered native area of Paphiopedilum canhii were found and studied 9 last remained very
small primary forest stands that potentially may be support habitats of P. canhii. In fact species was
found only in 5 studied forest stands with very small subpopulations in each locality (Fig. 11).
MAIN KINDS OF VEGETATION IN STUDIED AREA
Rich primary broadleaved evergreen closed submontane tropical forests represent typical original
pristine zonal vegetation formation in the area of Paphiopedilum canhii discovery. Very rich species
composition, specific horizontal and vertical forest structure, permanent shade and humidity, as well
as absence of exotic or weed species is typical feature of such aboriginal vegetation kind. However,
sometime, it is not too easy to reconstruct and understand real structure and composition of pristine
forest that were spread everywhere in studied area in prehistoric ages. Different stages of successions
more or less deep degradation of vegetation is typical picture in our days all over studied area. Very
poor secondary woods, secondary scrubs or herbaceous plant communities with high participation of
exotic or weed alien species, are regrettably most typical picture in landscapes in all area of the
project explorations.
4
Field studies of this project revealed following preliminary picture of forest structure and species
composition in area of Paphiopedilum canhii.
First forest (canopy) stratum includes numerous trees which belong to different families. These trees
reach on hill slopes regularly 20-25 m tall with canopy coverage 80-100%. Most of trees are
evergreen, but participation of deciduous trees may be more or less considerable, particularly on
south-faced slopes and on cliffs (Fig. 17-20). Species listed below in Table 1 were observed as more
common co-dominant of this and lower strata in primary forest limestone forest.
Table 1
Co-dominant species of different strata in primary broadleaved evergreen closed submontane
tropical forests on hill slopes in Paphiopedilum canhii native area
1 FOREST (canopy) STRATUM
FAMILY
Anacardiaceae
Anacardiaceae
Fagaceae
Lauraceae
Meliaceae
Meliaceae
Meliaceae
Moraceae
Sapindaceae
20-25 m tall
PLANT SPECIES NAME
Allospondias lakonensis Stapf
Choerospondias axillaris ( Roxb. ) B.L.Burtt et A.W.Hill
Lithocarpus sp.
Cinnamomum sp.
Aglaia sp.1.
Aglaia sp.2.
Chukrasia tabularis A.Juss.
Ficus sp.
Pometia pinnata J.R. et Forst.
EVERGREEN
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
DECIDUOUS
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
-
+
+
Strobilanthes sp.1.
Strobilanthes sp.2.
Arenga pinnata Merr.
Caryota sp.
Ophiopogon sp.
+
+
+
+
+
-
Carex sp.1.
Carex sp.2.
Scleria sp.
Psychotria sp.
Alpinia sp.
+
+
+
+
+
-
2 FOREST STRATUM
10-20 m tall
Annonaceae
Annonaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Moraceae
Polyalthia sp.
Xylopia sp.
Baccaurea sp.
Deutzianthus tonkinensis Gagnep.
gen.sp.
Streblus macrophyllus Blume
3 FOREST STRATUM
5-10 m tall
Araliaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Podocarpaceae
Styracaceae
Schefflera sp
Sapium rotundifolium Hemsl.
Podocarpus neriifolius D.Don
Alniphyllum sp.
4 FOREST STRATUM
shrubs and herbs to 0.1-5 m tall
Acanthaceae
Acanthaceae
Arecaceae
Arecaceae
Convallariacea
e
Cyperaceae
Cyperaceae
Cyperaceae
Rubiaceae
Zingiberaceae
-
Forest on tops of rocky hills and mountains become shorter and includes in its canopy stratum a
number of specific tree species that regularly do not observed on hill slopes. Among them are such
species as – Pistacia weinmannifolia, Schefflera pes-avis, Platycarya strobilacea, Myrsine
kwangsiensis and Sinosideroxylon sp. Common in such habitats - thickets of Dracaena
cochinchinensis. They give to rocky outcrops very characteristic appearance (Fig. 17). Similar plant
communities commonly may be observed on very steep rocky slopes and on cliffs of remnant
limestone ridges (Fig. 21-23). Main co-dominants of canopy stratum in such specific primary plant
community that cover tops of rocky limestone mountains are listed below in Table 2.
5
Table 2
Co-dominant species of canopy stratum in primary broadleaved evergreen closed submontane
tropical dwarf forests on hill tops in Paphiopedilum canhii native area
1 FOREST (canopy) STRATUM
FAMILY
Agavaceae
Anacardiaceae
Araliaceae
Betulaceae
Fabaceae
Fagaceae
Fagaceae
Fagaceae
Juglandaceae
Moraceae
Myrsinaceae
Sapotaceae
3-10 m tall
PLANT SPECIES NAME
Dracaena cochinchinensis (Lour.) S.C.Chen
Pistacia weinmannifolia J.Poiss. ex Franch.
Schefflera pes-avis R.Vig.
Ulmus sp.
Campylotropis sp.
Quercus sp.1
Quercus sp.1
Quercus sp.2
Platycarya strobilacea Siebold et Zucc.
Ficus sp.
Myrsine kwangsiensis (E.Walker ) Pipoly et C.Chen
Sinosideroxylon sp.
EVERGREEN
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
DECIDUOUS
+
+
+
-
In fragments of primary woods opened by forest fire or logging many weedy species appears
quickly. They rapidly replace aboriginal primary forest dominants. On first stages of this process
were observed in studied area such species as Clausena sp. and Zanthoxylum avicennae DC.
(Rutaceae), species of Callicarpa (Verbenaceae), Euphorbia antiquorum L. (Euphorbiaceae) and
some another representatives of secondary plant communities.
Non strata (extra-strata) vegetation is well presented in habitats of P. canhii and includes numerous
lithophytic, epiphytic, lianas, creeping and climbing plant species, as well as numerous mosses and
lichens.
Group of lithophytic plants includes mainly numerous species of ferns and orchids. A number of
herbaceous representatives of Begoniaceae, Gesneriaceae, Urticaceae, Araceae and Acanthaceae also
belong here. Rosulate, tuberiferous and creeping living plant forms dominate in this group. In
primary intact habitats they can develop continuous mats completely covering rocky outcrops on
tops of limestone hills and mountains (Fig. 35).
Ferns and orchids also dominate among epiphytic plant communities in habitats of P. canhii. Some
tuberiferous epiphytic scandent shrubs, mainly species of Vaccinium, also were observed as typical
epiphytes on mountain tops. Here epiphytes often completely cover stems and branches of old
gnarled trees (Fig. 36), particularly at the stem base and in tree canopies.
Among epiphytic, creeping, climbing and genuine vines were observed species of Pyrrosia, Hoya,
Dischidia, Smilax, Stemona, Vanilla, Clematis and few species of Cucurbitaceae.
List of species observed during field works is presented in Appendix 1. All species observations and
species records are documented with collected voucher herbarium specimens that are housed at
Herbarium of the Center for Plant Conservation of Vietnam Union of Science and Technology
Associations (Vietnam, Ha Noi) with duplicates delivered into main World Herbaria.
CHARACTERISTIC OF PAPHIOPEDILUM CANHII HABITATS
Shady vertical cliffs of N, NE and NW exposition on steep rocky slopes of remnant limestone hills
and mountains covered with intact primary broadleaved evergreen forest were observed as typical
habitat in all discovered subpopulations of Paphiopedilum canhii (Fig. 24-34). Discovered
subpopulations of P. canhii in its native area were observed at elevation 950-1100 m a.s.l. The
species grow in upper part of hill slopes, just on high cliffs, commonly in 40-60 m below hill tops,
newer occurring on mountain summits. Plants regularly grow as a typical rosulate lithophyte on
rough solid vertical walls covered with scattered mosses in permanent humidity and in constant
shade provided by intact canopy stratum of primary forest. Very often roots of plants adpressed to
just solid unbroken limestone wall using no any crevices or holes. Remnants of primary forest
6
supporting populations of P. canhii in all its discovered populations was observed as a still intact, but
very endangered unit threatened by expected coming logging (Fig. 24-34).
In fact P. canhii grows in very similar natural, environmental and climate conditions, which were
described in details for Paphiopedilum coccineum (P. barbigerum var. coccineum) in our early
publication (Averyanov et al., 2003, 2004).
PAPHIOPEDILUM CANHII IN ITS NATURAL HABITATS AND ESTIMATION
OF ITS PRESENT STATUS
Up to now Paphiopedilum canhii was discovered in 5 subpopulations settled in small isolated
limestone area in square less than 0.5 km2. The formal area of probable species occupancy is even
smaller and may be formally estimated (according to methodology recommendations proposed by
IUCN) as polygon with square is about 0.35 km2 (Fig. 56). Actually real total primary square
occupied by species growing on vertical cliffs is certainly less than few hundred meters. Total
number of specimens in all 5 subpopulations before commercial collecting may be estimated
presently very approximately, but most probably the plant number was less than 10.000-15.000
mature (flowering-size) samples. There exist certainly high probability that 5 mentioned
subpopulations represent alone existing locality of P. canhii. Plants in the past in their natural
habitats grow as a rosulate lithophyte forming on vertical shady walls more or less dense colonies,
each with 10 to 50 mature and juvenile samples spreading commonly on square 1-2 m2. Few time
ago many such colonies were scattered on a number of high cliffs in studied locality, like it may be
seen on Fig. 42. However, even at this time number of specimens and total species area in each
subpopulation was miserable.
Regrettably all discovered and studied subpopulations to moment of our exploration were already
tragically depleted by commercial collecting. In our studies during December 2010 was found no one
intact colony. Absolute majority of colonies in all 5 subpopulations were extinguished completely
and only occasionally in most inaccessible cliffs were observed poor remains in form of single
commonly depressed or juvenile specimens (Fig. 37-50). Plants were exactly collected just recently,
certainly few months before our studies and many cliffs still retained numerous sad traces of former
majestic species abundance. Very rarely few remained mature plants were observed in places of
former many numbered colonies. Proportion of such plants may reach 30% (Fig. 55). However this
is alone observed example. In all other cases plants are eliminated from colonies on 99 to 100% (Fig.
51-54). Total extinction of plants during 2009-2010 year may be estimated as at least 99%. At the
same time the number of surviving mature (flower-sized) specimens in all subpopulations hardly
exceeds presently 0.01% of former species population. Such unique relicts are presented on Fig. 3850. As commercial collecting still can not be stop immediately, these are, probably, last photos of P.
canhii in nature.
On the base of available data and current original observations Paphiopedilum canhii may be
estimated presently in IUCN terms as critically endangered species (CR), which is facing an
extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in nearest future.
TAXONOMY, MORPHOLOGY AND BIOLOGY OF PAPHIOPEDILUM CANHII
Paphiopedilum canhii was described by Prof. Leonid Averyanov and Mr. Olaf Gruss in 2010 on the
base of few specimens of uncertain origin collected supposedly in Son La Province and flowered in
Ha Noi in private orchid collection of Mr. Chu Xuan Canh in March 2010. It is most probably that
locality of the type was not indicated in description properly, being based on talks of local dealers
which is commonly very far from scientific accuracy. Later species was found in present
investigation in Dien Bien Province, but no any reliable data on its occurrence are yet available from
Son La Province.
At first the publication with illustrations and description of new species appeared in May issue of
American Orchid Society Magazine that immediately introduced species to broad circle of orchid
lovers all over the world. Unfortunately, name published in this edition may not be accepted as valid
7
due to superfluous citation of two elements as a nomenclature type (Art. 8.1 & 8.2 of ICBN). Few
months later in the same year species was described in full accordance with rules of botanical
nomenclature in Russian scientific journal - Turczaninowia (Averyanov, 2010).
Below standard taxonomic citation of P. canhii and its corrected and improved description with
addition of recently obtained original data are listed.
Paphiopedilum canhii Aver. et O.Gruss, 2010, in Aver., Orch. Viet. Ill. Surv. Orchidoideae,
Turczaninowia, 13, 2: 92. - “Paphiopedilum canhii” Aver. et O.Gruss, 2010, Orchids, Mag. Amer.
Orch. Soc., 79, 5: 288, nom. invalid.
Illustrations. d-EXSICCATES OF VIETNAMESE FLORA 0170; Aver. et O.Gruss, 2010, Orchids,
Mag. Amer. Orch. Soc., 79, 5: 288-290, fig. 1-9; Aver., Orch. Viet. Ill. Surv. Orchidoideae,
Turczaninowia, 13, 2: 94, Fig. 62; Fig. 39-50.
Described from NW. Vietnam (“NW. Vietnam, Son La prov.”). Holotype (“Chu Xuan Canh CXC
101, 14 Nov. 2009”, in fruit) – HN; epitype (“Phan Ke Loc HAL 12907 22 March 2010”, in flower)
– LE.
Description. Lithophytic sympodial rosulate herb with (2)3-4(5) leaves. Leaves elliptic to oblong, 47 cm long, 1-2(2.5) cm wide, slightly emarginate and shortly apiculate at the apex, distinctly
tessellated light and dark green above, pale green and heavily marked with dark dirty-violet below.
Inflorescence erect, 1-flowered; peduncle slender, (6)8-10 cm long, dark green, sometimes with
dirty-purple tint, pubescent with dirty olive-violet hairs. Bract narrowly ovate-elliptic, acute, 1.2-1.4
cm long, 0.5 cm wide, green, olive-violet pubescent. Flowers 6-8 cm across. Dorsal sepal ovate to
broadly ovate, acute; 2-3 cm long, 1.5-1.8 cm wide; white, slightly greenish at the base, in lower half
veined with 5-7 purple nerves; densely hairy outside. Synsepal narrowly ovate, acute; 1.5-2 cm long,
0.6-1 cm wide; light uniformly dull green; hairy outside. Petals 3-4 cm long, 0.5-0.7 cm wide at the
base; spreading, more or less horizontal; cuneate, narrowing from broad base to elongate, acuminate
apex; background light green to pinkish-green, brightly deep green toward base, dull purple-violet to
the apex; with 7-9 dark purple-violet longitudinal stripes along nerves; long white ciliate along
irregularly slightly undulate margin; petal base with dense tuft of long dark violet papillae at lower
margin faced to lip entrance. Lip slipper-sac-like; 2-2.5 cm long, 0.8-1.4 cm wide, light dull green,
with light brownish-purple tint on smooth and glossy incurved side lobes; inside at the base densely
haired with long white glassy papillae, dark violet at apex. Column short and broad, 3-4 mm long,
brightly green. Stamens with elongate acute filament apices; filaments green; anther spherical,
yellow to orange. Stigma white to light greenish. Staminode large, 1.2-1.6 cm long, 0.6-0.8 cm wide;
entire, glossy, broadly ovate to ovate-elliptic, flat, hardly indistinctly emarginate and grooved at
apex; white to light greenish, with irregular washy yellowish-green or greenish veins. Pedicel and
ovary 2-3 cm long, dark green, densely pubescent with dirty olive-violet hairs. Fruit dry, narrowly
ellipsoid, ribbed, shortly beaked capsule about 2 cm long and 4-5 mm in diameter.
Ecology. Broadleaved primary shady humid forests on rocky limestone at elevations about 900-110
m a.s.l., obligate lithophyte on vertical shady limestone cliffs near tops of ridge, with roots adpressed
to solid vertical walls having no soil. Fl. (February) March - April. Extremely rare (CR).
Distribution. Vietnam (Dien Bien Province). Endemic.
Note. Samples of P. canhii bloom in nature in March-April. Fruit formation is rather low. Very few
samples developed fruits (probably less than 10%) according to observation in 2010. Capsules are
rather small. They ripening and disperse seeds commonly during August-September.
Along with some another strict slipper orchid endemics, P. canhii certainly represents example of
very strict local Indochinese endemism. This species according to its floral and vegetative
morphology has very isolated taxonomical position morphologically intermediate between species of
section Parvisepalum Aver. et P.J.Cribb (subgenus Parvisepalum Karas. et Saito) and section
Barbata (Kraenzl.) V.A.Albert & Boerge Pett. (subgenus Paphiopedilum). It undoubtedly deserves
8
separation in rank of separate subgenus or section most close to subgenus Paphiopedilum sect.
Barbata (Averyanov et al., 2010).
HISTORY OF EXPLOITATION AND EXTINCTION OF PAPHIOPEDILUM CANHII
Hard exploitation of Paphiopedilum canhii started immediately after its discovery in middle of 2009
year. Most probably species was at first found by H’Mong (Meo) local people and collected along
with other orchids for their regular sale in local markets of Dien Bien and Son La cities. Very distinct
unusual slipper orchid was highly valued by local orchid lovers and fanciers just immediately after
its appearance in orchid market. In few weeks rumours on intriguing new species speeded widely
reaching Ha Noi and other large cities of northern Vietnam. First flowers of mysterious plant were
open at the beginning of 2010 in a number of private collections in Ha Noi, Dien Bien and Son La
cities. At this moment become clear that orchid society met one more new exciting slipper orchid
species. Next days internet was filled with images of new flower.
At this time price for flowering plants reached its maximum. Illustrated publication of new species in
world-known American Orchid Society Magazine also activated market demands and supported fast
cost rise. Additionally, participation in the trade of foreign dealers provided much highest influence
to the market price dynamics. Numerous international dealers arrive in spring 2010 to Son La and
Dien Bien cities for trading. Best plant clones at this time were traded by costs up to 100 USD for
alone plant. Largest lots of plants were supposedly imported to Taiwan.
Strong rumours about high prices for plants provoked true orchid fever in the area of Paphiopedilum
canhii. All people from neighboring villages layaway their each day home duties and come to the
forest looking for a plants. In some days more than 20 people collected plants in dream to sell them
for high price. Naturally high supply of plants on the market for sale, immediately exceeded
demands. Very soon after plant flowering period price come down to 100 and then 50 USD per kg.
To the end of 2010 the cost was only 10-20 USD for 1 kg, but even for these costs trade was very
weak and most not sold plants were simply trashed. Ironically the collecting of great majority of
plants was fruitless. They bring no money to local people, no profit to local or international trade, no
happiness to orchid lovers all over the world. These last specimens of unique critically endangered
species that stands on verge of full extinction were simply wasted (Fig. 151). Low level of
horticulture and lack of necessary experience in slipper orchid cultivation permit no long cultivation
P. canhii in local collections and nurseries. So even large flowering size plants actually have no
chance to survive in conditions of primitive agriculture (Fig. 151-154). To the end of 2010 trade of
P. canhii actually completely exhausted due to 3 main reasons: - no more demands from foreign
dealers (they already bought best clones necessary for propagation and breeding); - no more
demands from domestic purchasers (due to hard difficulties in plant cultivation in primitive
conditions); - very few plants in nature (that make their search and collecting unprofitable).
According to very approximate estimation 25-35 kg of P. canhii samples were collected during short
history of its discovery, exploitation and extinction. Plants are fairly small when 1 kg contains about
300-350 mature (flowering-size) plants and commonly 200-300 offspring juvenile samples.
Following to these calculations totally were collected at least 10.000-15.000 mature and juvenile
specimens. Direct observation in nature indicates that about 99.5% of populations were extinguished
in one year of exploitation. In our opinion species has no chance survive in nature. It is particularly
true taking into consideration fast deforestation in its small native area.
MAIN FACTORS OF PAPHIOPEDILUM CANHII EXTINCTION
Deforestation is main and leading factor of extinction of aboriginal floras. Unique local floras having
very high diversity of locally endemic life forms vanish completely in process of deforestation. Fast
following degradation of fertile soils and denudation of subsoil horizons opens way to fast
degradation of vegetation in successions terminating in climax community of secondary shrub and
herbaceous weed species (Fig. 142). This process is irreversible. Primary forests with their
assemblage of very sensitive aboriginal species newer regenerate. Extinction of such forest
formations leads to catastrophic decreasing of the world genetic diversity. Such picture is observed
in studied area in its bright typical form. Our present field studies indicate that more than 99.5% of
9
primary forests cowering land surface in studied area presently completely extinct. This observation
stands in full accordance with data of earlier special regional surveys (Collins, Sayer, Whitmore,
1991).
Primitive slash-and-burn agriculture and forest logging for domestic constructions and fuel timber
are main reason of countrywide deforestation in conditions of remaining traditional forms of local
economic and fast increase of human populations. Miserable pieces of remaining primary forests
may be presently estimated in studied area as less than 0.1% of territory. Such unique remnant forest
stands are still occur in few remote mountain regions. Their protection and conservation is
impossible without urgent special actions of municipal, provincial and governmental authorities that
sounds unrealistic on the background of fast forest destruction. All this is entirely true for home area
of P. canhii (Fig. 141-147). According to our estimation it is hardly possible to preserve intact
primary vegetation that supports remnants of P. canhii subpopulations. Without special very urgent
and effective actions forest here will be destroyed in the nearest future. The survival of sensitive
aboriginal species including P. canhii after forest destruction will be impossible.
Constructions of roads, highways, mining, high-voltage line communications, as well as any another
large land exploitation projects are also important factors of nature destruction, that usually come
after primary forest extinction. For example, road construction in area of P. canhii home area
destroys not only vegetation, but also even landscape faces (Fig. 149, 150).
Landscape desertification and aggressive weed introgression play role of slow-acting, but
irreversible and insuperable destructive factors in last isolated stands of primary forests all aver the
world in tropical zone.
Deforestation on great majority of the land surface leads to landscape desertification resulting in
higher summer temperatures and loss of air humidity, particularly during dry seasons. This effect
seriously depresses primary humid-lowing vegetation, particularly in its small isolated refugia. Most
sensitive species in such conditions slowly decline even in physically intact primary plant
community. Particularly this concerns woody conifers and herbaceous shade-loving lithophytes
(Averyanov et al., 2000, 2005, 2009). Shade-loving aboriginal herbaceous lithophytes growing on
vertical cliffs in conditions of permanent humidity represent most sensitive and endangered group of
species. Such species always vanish first as during process of habitat destruction vertical cliffs lose
humidity and surface damp much faster than other substrates. Assessed P. canhii and its slipper
orchid relatives belong to just this group of species.
Destruction of aboriginal floras by introgression of aggressive exotic and weed species represents
great problem all over the world. Such species can easily and fairly fast spread in the area of
disturbed primary plant communities gradually replacing indigenous species. Eventually primary
plant community becomes transformed into secondary thickets of weed and alien exotic species (Fig.
148). This process moves without bright visible cataclysms, but leads to strong depression of native
species and eventually kills them. This is particularly true for most sensitive and rare endemic
orchids, including all species of Paphiopedilum.
REMARKABLE PLANT SPECIES ASSOCIATED WITH HABITATS OF
PAPHIOPEDILUM CANHII IN ITS HOME AREA
Remnants of primary forests in the area of P. canhii still retain principal nucleus of very rich and
highly endemic flora. As a result great number of rarest species were observed and collected as
herbarium voucher specimens during expedition for documentation of our field studies. Totally were
collected about 280 species which belong to 157 genera and 58 families of higher plant (Appendix
1). Many observed species vanished in other regions of Vietnam years ago, but in studied area they
are still survived and sometime are presented by fairly large populations. Most rare and interesting
species are slipper orchids, - relatives of P. canhii, such as P. malipoense, P. coccineum (P.
barbigerum var. coccineum) and P. dianthum (Fig. 57-68). All these discoveries essentially expand
our knowledge about distribution of these rare slipper orchid species and represent new records for
areas of NW Vietnam.
10
Tuberiferous ericaceous epiphytic shrubs are very typical for primary vegetation in humid mossy
forest of P. canhii area. They are mainly representatives of Vaccinium genus (Fig. 69-74). Beside
orchids and genuine ferns some fern allies, like Selaginella tamariscina, belong to typical lithophytes
found on vertical rocky limestone cliffs (Fig. 75-77).
About 50 orchid species were observed as direct associates in habitats of P. canhii subpopulations.
Some of them are presented on Fig. 78-112. As a most common orchids here were observed such
species as:
Acampe rigida,
Bulbophyllum ambrosia,
B. apodum,
Callostylis rigida (Fig. 111, 112),
Ceratostylis himalaica,
Cleisostoma filiforme,
C. striatum,
Coelogyne fimbriata (Fig. 83, 84),
C. ovalis (Fig. 138, 139),
Dendrobium heterocarpum (Fig. 103),
D. loddigesii,
Epigeneium amplum,
Eria carinata,
E. pannea,
Flickingeria angustifolia,
Liparis mannii,
L. viridiflora,
Luisia zollingeri,
Monomeria barbata (Fig. 85-87),
M. gymnopus (Fig. 120, 121),
Oberonia cavaleriei,
O. ensiformis (Fig. 78-80),
Panisea tricallosa (Fig. 89, 90),
Paphiopedilum dianthum (Fig. 66-68),
Pholidota levelleana,
P. yunnanensis,
Sunipia scariosa,
Thrixspermum calceolus (Fig. 99),
Trichosma coronaria (Fig. 81, 82),
Vanda brunnea (Fig. 91-98).
Some extremely rare orchids were known before on the base of few or single collections were also
found during field works in home area of P. canhii. Species of this group are listed below:
Acampe ochracea (Fig. 100, 101),
Anoectochilus calcareus (Fig. 88),
Bulbophyllum lockii (Fig. 128, 129),
Cheirostylis latilabris (Fig. 130, 131),
Coelogyne assamica (Fig. 110),
C. ovalis (Fig. 138, 139),
Cymbidium eburneum (Fig. 108, 109),
Dendrobium longicornu (Fig. 105),
D. moniliforme (Fig. 104),
D. nobile var. albolutea (Fig. 102),
D. porphyrochilum (Fig. 126, 127),
Eria bambusifolia,
Eriodes barbata (Fig. 137),
Porpax elwesii (Fig. 134-136),
Sunipia andersonii (Fig. 106, 107),
Taeniophyllum glandulosum (Fig. 140),
Vanda brunnea (Fig. 91-98).
Partial identification of materials collected during field works revealed a number of important
taxonomic and floristic discoveries. Among them 2 genera discovered and reported for the flora of
Vietnam at first. They are Phylacium Benn. (Fabaceae) and Sinocrassula A.Berger (Crassulaceae)
with new species for the flora - Phylacium majus Collett et Hemsl. and Sinocrassula indica
A.Berger.
At least 7 plant species were found during current survey in Vietnam at first. All they represent new
records for the flora of Vietnam. Among them creeping fern - Pyrrosia nummularifolia Ching
(Polypodiaceae) common in habitat of P. canhii, parasitic achlorophyllous vine - Cuscuta formosana
Hayata (Cuscutaceae) and such orchids (Orchidaceae) as - Coelogyne micrantha Lindl. (Fig. 116119), Cymbidium cyperifolium Lindl. (Fig. 132, 133), Dendrobium senile Par. et Rchb.f. (Fig. 125),
Monomeria gymnopus (Hook.f.) Aver. (Fig. 120, 121) and Schoenorchis fragrans (Par. et Rchb.f.)
U.C.Pradhan (Fig. 124).
Among taxa discovered and proposed for description as a new for science are 5 orchids: new genus
and species - xLockia sonii, gen. et sp.nov. (Fig. 113-115) and 4 species from genera Dendrobium,
Poaephyllum and Schoenorchis (Fig. 122, 123).
Data on all discoveries now are in preparation for publication in form of series of separate special
articles with appropriate references and acknowledgements for supporting organizations.
LITERATURE CITED
Averyanov L. 2004. Dendrobium tuananhii Aver. Another interesting new orchid from Vietnam.
Orchids. Mag. Amer. Orch. Soc. Vol. 73. No 2. P. 134-136.
Averyanov L. 2005. Dendrobium vietnamense – a new species from limestone mountains of northwestern Vietnam. Journ. Orchideenfr. Jahr. 12, Heft 4, 4. Quartal : 355-360 (Bilingual, Germany and
English).
11
Averyanov L. 2007. New species of orchids from Vietnam. Taiwania. Vol. 52. No 4. P. 287-306.
Averyanov L. 2008. The orchids of Vietnam. Illustrated survey. Part 1. Subfamilies Apostasioideae,
Cypripedioideae and Spiranthoideae. Turczaninowia, Vol. 11, N 1. P. 5-168.
Averyanov L. 2009. Hayata glandulifera (Orchidaceae) New Genus and Species From Northern
Vietnam. Taiwania. Vol. 54. No. 4. P. 311-316.
Averyanov L. 2010. The orchids of Vietnam. Illustrated survey. Part 2 subfamily Orchidoideae.
Turczaninowia, 13, 2. P. 5–98.
Averyanov L., Nguyen Tien Hiep, Phan Ke Loc, Averyanova Anna L. 2000. Preliminary orchid
checklist of Cao Bang Province (Vietnam). Lindleyana. Vol.15. No 3. P. 130-164.
Averyanov L., Phan Ke Loc, Nguyen Tien Hiep. 2001. The distribution of Paphiopedilum
vietnamense and its current status in the wild. Orchid Digest. Vol. 65. N. 4. P. 158-162.
Averyanov L., Phan Ke Loc, Nguyen Tien Hiep, D.K.Harder. 2003. Phytogeographic review of
Vietnam and adjacent areas of Eastern Indochina. Komarovia. Vol. 3. pp. 1-83.
Averyanov L., Phillip Cribb, Phan Ke Loc, Nguyen Tien Hiep. 2003. Slipper Orchids of
Vietnam. With an Introduction to the Flora of Vietnam. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Compass
Press Limited. 308 p.
Averyanov L. Cribb P., Phan Ke Loc, Nguyen Tien Hiep. 2004. Lan Hai Viet Nam (Slipper
Orchids of Vietnam). 308 pp. Giao Thong van tai Publishing house. Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnamese
ed., 2003).
Averyanov L., Nguyen Tien Hiep, Phan Ke Loc, Pham Van The. 2005. Distribution, ecology and
habitats of Calocedrus rupestris (Cupressaceae) in Vietnam. Turczaninowia 8 (4) : 19-35.
Averyanov L., Phan Ke Loc, Nguyen Tien Hiep, Nguyen Sinh Khang, Nguyen Tien Vinh,
Pham Thuy Duyen. 2009. Preliminary Observation of Native Glyptostrobus pensilis (Taxodiaceae)
Stands in Vietnam. Taiwania. Vol.54. No. 3. P. 191-212.
Chu Van Ngoi, Luong Thi Thu Hoai. 2007. Mechanism of forming the Dien Bien basin. VNU
Journal of Science, Earth Sciences. Vol. 23. P. 76-79.
Collins N.M., J.A.Sayer, T.C.Whitmore. 1991. The conservation atlas of tropical forests. Asia and
the Pacific. Simon & Schuster. New York, etc. 235 p.
Liu Zhong-Jian, Chen Sing-chi, Chen Lijun, Lei Sipeng. 2009b. The genus Paphiopedilum in
China. Science Press, Beijing. 371 p.
Liu Zhong-Jian, Chen Sing-chi, P.J. Cribb. 2009a. 4. Paphiopedilum Pfitzer. P. 33-44. In Wu
Zhenqyi, P.Raven. Flora of China. Vol. 25. Science Press & MBG Press, Beijing & St. Louis. 570 p.
Perner H., X.N.Dang. 2003. Dendrobium trantuanii, eine neue Art der Gattung aus Vietnam. Die
Orchidee. Vol. 54, No 2. P. 220-224.
Schildhauer H., W. Schraut. 2004. Dendrobium farinatum, ein neues Dendrobium der Sektion
Breviflores aus Vietnam. Journ. Orchideenfreund. Vol. 11, No 4. P. 374-378.
TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL REPORT
Current investigation program was financially supported by 2 agencies with following details Grant name: “Assessment of distribution and natural status of Paphiopedilum canhii, Vietnam”, The
Rufford Small Grant Foundation (RSGF); found amount - £ 6000
Grant name: “Assessment of current natural status of critically endangered species - Paphiopedilum
canhii for its conservation”, Chicago Zoological Society, Chicago Board of Trade Endangered
Species Fund (CZS CBTESF); found amount - USD 4500
The first stage of the work on Program in December 2010 included 18 days, starting from 9 to 26
December 2010. It included field work trip and short laboratory session for preliminary
summarization of obtained data. Five main project participants (L.Averyanov, P.K.Loc, P.V.The,
N.T.Vinh, C.X.Canh) were involved in the field expedition work in Dien Bien and Son La Provinces
during 13 days, from 9 to 22 December 2010. In course of these studies preliminary data for current
assessment were obtained, were studied and described 12 localities, were found and shortly
described 5 subpopulations of Paphiopedilum canhii and accompanied plant species, collected about
1000 herbaruim specimens with 310 collecting numbers. Data on actual schedule of field works and
plant collecting are presented in Table 3. Short preliminary summarization of obtained data in form
of first report draft were completed during laboratory session in Hanoi with participation of 3 main
project participants (L.Averyanov, P.K.Loc, P.V.The) in 4 days, from 23 to 26 December 2010.
12
Table 3
Schedule of field work in December 2010
№ of
studied
locality
Date
1
9 Dec
2
11 Dec.
3
11 Dec.
4
13 Dec.
5
13 Dec.
6
13 Dec.
7
14 Dec.
8
16 Dec.
9
16 Dec.
10
18 Dec.
11
20 Dec.
12
21 Dec.
Administrative and geographical position
Dien Bien Prov, Dien Bien Distr., Na U Municipality, Ca Hau
village, around point 21°13’08”N 102°57’14”E.
Dien Bien Prov, Dien Bien Distr., Muong Phang Municipality
Dien Bien Prov, Dien Bien Distr., Na U Municipality, Ca Hau
village, around point 21°12’52”N 102°57’18”E
Dien Bien Prov, Tua Chua Distr., Tua Thang Municipality, around
point 21°58’04”N 103°25’21”E
Dien Bien Prov, Tua Chua Distr., Ta Phin Municipality, around point
22°00’41”N 103°21’33”E
Dien Bien Prov, Tua Chua Distr., Sin Chai Municipality, around
point 22°03’38”N 103°18’56”E
Dien Bien Prov, Tua Chua Distr., Sin Chai Municipality, around
point 22°03’38”N 103°19’56”E
Dien Bien Prov, Tua Chua Distr., Ta Phin Municipality, around point
22°00’21”N 103°21’39”E
Dien Bien Prov, Tua Chua Distr., Xu Nhe Municipality, around point
21°51’09”N 103°23’37”E
Dien Bien Prov, Muong Cha Distr., Mua Ngai Municipality, around
point 21°52’19”N 103°10’01”E
Son La Prov., Son La City, Chieng Co Municipality, around point
21°18’24”N 103°52’53”E
Son La Prov., Mai Son Distr., Hat Lot town, around point
21°13’05”N 104°06’44”E
Collected specimen
numbers
CPC 848-851
CPC 852-858
CPC 859-865
CPC 866-869
CPC 870-871
CPC 872-917
CPC 918-1008, 1047
CPC 1009-1043
CPC 1044-1046
CPC 1048-1097
CPC 1098-1141a
CPC 1142-1156
Financial report for the first stage of the project realization schematically is presented in Table 4.
Table 4
Financial report of the first stage of exploration program
Income:
1 - £6000 ( = 9600 USD for Dec. 2010), from RSGF
2 – 4500 USD, from CZS CBTESF
Total income: 14100 USD
Justification of expenses:
ITEM
DESCRIPTION
RSGF &
CBTESF
OTHER
SOURCES
TRANSPORTATI
ON
Airfare
Vehicle Rental
Field Vehicle Gas
and Maintenance
SUBSISTENCE
Lodging
Food
FIELD WORK
Equipment
Field Supplies
1 roundtrip air ticket and connected travel costs St.
Petersburg-Hanoi for project leader
rental of vehicle for 13 days field work
1 300
fuel and driver costs
625
5 participants +driver for 13 days by $10/day
5 participants +driver for 13 days by $20/day
780
1 560
tents, sleeping bags, herbarium presses, mosquito nets,
rucksacks
maps, batteries, memory cards, external discs, adapters,
electricity stabilizer, herbarium paper, alcohol, sacks, lease of
electricity generators
1 000
600
300
600
13
Assistants
Consultants
LABORATORY
WORK
Logging in Hanoi
Food
Equipment
Lab Supplies
Assistants/
Consultants
Tests
Other
Host
institutes
overhead costs
MANAGEMENT
Telephone/fax/
postage
Miscellaneous
Participant
salaries
TOTAL
IN
PARTS
TOTAL
EXPENDED
guides, porters, local assistants
400
1 participant (Project Leader) for 4 days by $35/day
3 participants for 4 days by 20/day
Herbarium driers
Herbarium paper and package cartons
140
240
400
200
Label and field book writing
Plant preliminary identification and descriptions
herbarium specimen processing, drying, sorting and package
200
300
300
100
500
post, fax, telephone
passport, visa and permissions processing
50
55
100
3 500
5 700
7 550
13 250
Other funding sources:
- Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Science (about USD 5 050)
- The Center for Plant Conservation, Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (about USD 2
500)
Expended found received from RSGF and CZS CBTESF for January 2011 is USD 5 700
(proportionally USD 3 762 from RSGF and USD 1 938 from CZS CBTESF)
The rest of joined RSGF and CZS CBTESF fund is USD 8 400
(proportionally USD 5 544 from RSGF and USD 2 856 from CZS CBTESF)
Second expedition for succeeding season of field works on current exploration program will be organized
during March-April 2011. Final report will be submitted in August-September 2011.
Some scenes of field work of main project participants during first stage or the project realization (December
2010) are presented on Photos 155-161.
Project Leader,
Prof. Leonid V. Averyanov
25 January 2011
14
Appendix 1
List of collected species
New species for the flora of Vietnam are marked with *
Species discovered as new for science are marked with **
Acanthaceae
Balsaminaceae
Rungia sp. CPC 1037
Strobilanthes cusia CPC 966
Strobilanthes sp.1. CPC 1026
Strobilanthes sp.2. CPC 855
Strobilanthes sp.3. CPC 904
Strobilanthes sp.4. CPC 905
Thunbergia sp. CPC 984
Gen.sp. CPC 854
Impatiens sp. CPC 1078
Brydelia sp. CPC 1153
Gen.sp. CPC 1122
Begoniaceae
Fabaceae
Codonopsis javanica CPC 983
Bauhinia sp. CPC 971
Campylotropis sp. CPC 1130
Dunbaria podocarpa? CPC 869
Dunbaria sp. CPC 1035
Millettia sp. CPC 863
Phylacium majus Collett & Hemsl. CPC 1081*
Amaranthaceae
Caryophyllaceae
Flacourtiaceae
Begonia sp. CPC 884
Bombacaceae
Bombax sp. CPC 1099
Campanulaceae
Aerva sp. CPC 1021
Gen. sp. CPC 1126
Anacardiaceae
Commelinaceae
Pistacia weinmanniifolia CPC 1125
Streptolyrion volubilis CPC 968
Apiaceae
Convallariaceae
Hydrocotyle sp. CPC 981
Sanicula sp.? CPC 897
Xyloselinum leonidii? CPC 1120
Apocynaceae
Strophanthus sp. CPC 985
Araceae
Remusatia vivipara (Roxb.) Schott CPC 914; CPC 1093
Araliaceae
Aralia sp. CPC 1045
Arecaceae
Rhapis sp. CPC 1145
Asclepiadaceae
Hoya sp.1. CPC 885
Hoya sp.2. CPC 948
Hoya sp.3. CPC 951
Asteraceae
Blumea sp. CPC 853
Cirsium sp.? CPC 1020
Gnaphalium sp.? CPC 1015
Vernonia sp.1. CPC 898
Vernonia sp.2. CPC 907
Vernonia sp.3. CPC 978
Vernonia sp.4. CPC 1082
Gen.sp.1. CPC 1024
Gen.sp.2. CPC 1097
Ophiopogon sp.1. CPC 996
Ophiopogon sp.2. CPC 1128
Tupistra albiflora CPC 857
Tupistra wattii CPC 900
Tupistra sp. CPC 1079
Convolvulaceae
Gen.sp. CPC 1150
Gesneriaceae
Boea sp.? CPC 908
Chirita sp. CPC 1133
Eshynanthus sp. CPC 936
Gen.sp. CPC 993
Juglandaceae
Platycarya strobilacea CPC 950
Lamiaceae
Parana volubilis CPC 872
Gomphostemma sp. CPC 856
Gen.sp. CPC 1036
Crassulaceae
Lobeliaceae
Calanchoe sp. CPC 1107
Sinocrassula indica A.Berger CPC 1023 *
Cucurbitaceae
Gen.sp. CPC 1132
Lobelia nicotianifolia CPC 1096
Loranthaceae
Loranthus sp.? CPC 1134
Lycopodiaceae
Cuscuta formosana Hayata CPC 1046 *
Hupperzia phlegmaria CPC 916
Huperzia sp.1. CPC 1051
Huperzia sp.2. CPC 952
Cyperaceae
Magnoliaceae
Cuscutaceae
Carex baccans CPC 1016
Dioscoreaceae
Dioscorea sp. CPC 1095
Ericaceae
Balanophoraceae
Rhododendron sp. CPC 945
Vaccinium sp.1. CPC 849
Vaccinium sp.2. CPC 874
Vaccinium sp.3. CPC 937
Vaccinium sp.4. CPC 954
Vaccinium sp.5. CPC 1007
Balanophora sp. CPC 901
Euphorbiaceae
Gen.sp. CPC 871
Malpighiaceae
Aspidopteris sp. CPC 1043; CPC 1147
Melasomataceae
Memecylon coeruleum s.l. CPC 1127
Blastus sp. CPC 858
Meliaceae
Aglaja sp. CPC 1119
Menispermaceae
Stephania sp. CPC 1033
15
Gen.sp.1. CPC 1032
Gen.sp.2. CPC 1034
Gen.sp.3. CPC 1040
Moraceae
Ficus sp. CPC 1151
Myrsinaceae
Myrsine kwangsiense? CPC 1135
Myrsine sp. CPC 860
Oleaceae
Jasminum sp.1. CPC 1118
Jasminum sp.2. CPC 1124
Orchidaceae
Acampe ochracea Hochr. CPC s.n.
Acampe rigida (Buch.-Ham. ex Sm.) P.F.Hunt CPC 1010; CPC 1064
Anoectochilus calcareus Aver. CPC 919
Bulbophyllum ambrosia (Hance) Schltr. CPC 1111
Bulbophyllum apodum Hook.f.? CPC 927; CPC 957
Bulbophyllum lockii Aver. CPC 921
Bulbophyllum xylophyllum C.S.P.Parish & Rchb.f. CPC 949
Callostylis rigida Blume CPC 1052; CPC 1113
Ceratostylis himalaica Hook.f. CPC 958; CPC 1050
Cheirostylis latilabris Aver. CPC 982
Cleisostoma filiforme (Lindl.) Garay? CPC 1056
Cleisostoma fuersteinbergianum CPC 868
Cleisostoma racimiferum? CPC 930
Cleisostoma rostratum (Lindl.) Garay CPC 1138
Cleisostoma striatum (Rchb.f.) Garay CPC 909
Coelogyne assamica Linden et Rchb.f. CPC s.n.
Coelogyne fimbriata Lindl. CPC 941; CPC 1003
Coelogyne micrantha Lindl. CPC 1077*
Coelogyne ovalis Lindl. CPC 992; CPC 1054
Coelogyne schultesii S.K.Jain et S.Das? CPC 910
Cymbidium cyperifolium Lindl. CPC s.n.*
Cymbidium eburneum Lindl.? CPC 976
Dendrobium chrysanthum Wall. ex Lindl.? CPC 933
Dendrobium heterocarpum Lindl. CPC s.n.
Dendrobium loddigesii Rolfe CPC 1063
Dendrobium longicornu Lindl. CPC s.n.
Dendrobium moniliforme Sw. CPC s.n.
Dendrobium nobile Lindl. var. albolutea D.H.Duong et Aver CPC s.n.
Dendrobium porphyrochilum Lindl. CPC s.n.
Dendrobium senile Par. et Rchb.f. CPC s.n.*
Dendrobium thyrsiflorum? CPC 893
Dendrobium sp.nov.1.? CPC 1141**
Dendrobium sp.nov.2.? CPC 1141a**
Epigeneium amplum (Lindl.) Summerh. CPC 926
Epigeneium labuanum (Lindl.) Summerh. CPC 995
Eria bambusifolia Lindl. CPC 969
Eria carinata Lindl. CPC 887; CPC 1004
Eria corneri Rchb.f. CPC 892; CPC 1146
Eria globulifera Seidenf. CPC 886; CPC 1114
Eria pachyphylla Aver. CPC 1149
Eria paniculata Lindl. CPC 997
Eria pannea CPC 877
Eriodes barbata (Lindl.) Rolfe CPC 925
Flickingeria angustifolia (Blume) A.D.Hawkes? CPC 1057; CPC 1155
Gastrochilus calceolare? CPC 882
Goodyera hispida Lindl. CPC 890
Habenaria rhodocheila Hance CPC 1115
Hygrochilus parishii (Veitch & Rchb.f.) Pfitzer CPC 1006; CPC 1055
Liparis latilabris Rolfe CPC 961
Liparis mannii Rchb.f. CPC 953; CPC 994; CPC 1109
Liparis viridiflora (Blume) Lindl. CPC 955; CPC 1030
Lockia sonii, gen. et sp. nov. CPC 1140**
Luisia zollingeri Rchb.f. CPC 1156
Monomeria barbata Lindl. CPC 924; CPC 990
Monomeria gymnopus (Hook.f.) Aver. CPC 848; CPC 940*
Oberonia cavaleriei Finet CPC 883; CPC 1031; CPC 1049
Oberonia ensiformis (Sm.) Lindl. CPC 859; CPC 1062; CPC 1106
Odontochilus elwesii C.B.Clarke ex Hook.f. CPC 920
Ornithochilus difformis (Wall. ex Lindl.) Schltr. CPC 1060
Otochilus fuscus Lindl. CPC 939
Panisea tricallosa Rolfe CPC 875; CPC 876; CPC 917; CPC 1086
Paphiopedilum canhii Aver. Et O.Gruss CPC 851; CPC 865
Paphiopedilum coccineum Perner et R.Herrmann CPC 918; CPC 998
Paphiopedilum dianthum Tang et F.T.Wang CPC 862; CPC 878; CPC
1087
Paphiopedilum malipoense S.C.Chen et Z.H.Tsi CPC 880; CPC 1000
Pelatantheria ctenoglossum Ridl.? CPC 1148
Pelatantheria insectifera (Rchb.f.) Ridl. CPC 1110
Pholidota articulata Lindl.? CPC 1066
Pholidota chinensis Lindl. CPC 928
Pholidota levelleana Schltr.? CPC 991
Pholidota missionariorum Gagnep.? CPC 929
Pholidota pallida Lindl. CPC 1008
Pholidota yunnanensis Rolfe . CPC 960; CPC 1076; CPC 1112
Poaephyllum sp.nov.? CPC 1136**
Porpax elwesii (Rchb.f.) Rolfe CPC 989
Rhomboda petelottii (Gagnep.) Ormerod CPC 922
Schoenorchis fragrans (C.S.P.Parish & Rchb.f.) U.C.Pradhan CPC 1138a*
Schoenorchis scolopendria Aver., sp.nov. CPC 1139**
Sunipia andersonii (King & Pantl.) P.F.Hunt CPC 1005; CPC 1088
Sunipia scariosa Lindl. CPC 915; CPC 956; CPC 1058
Taeniophyllum glandulosum Blume CPC 1137
Thrixspermum calceolus (Lindl.) Rchb.f.? CPC 934; CPC 1067
Trichosma coronaria (Lindl.) Brieger CPC 935; CPC 942
Trichotosia dasyphylla Kraenzl. CPC 852
Vanda brunnea Rchb.f.? CPC 891; CPC 1059
Vanda sp. CPC 1141b
Vanilla annamensis? CPC 881
Poaceae
Bambusoideae CPC 1044
Podocarpaceae
Podocarpus neriifolius CPC 864; CPC 912; CPC 963
Polypodiaceae s.l.
Adianthum caudatum CPC 1011; CPC 1152
Antrophyum sp. CPC 962; CPC 1071; CPC 1104
Asplenium antrophioides CPC 959
Asplenium belangeri CPC 1129
Asplenium saxicola CPC 1121
Asplenium tenuifolium CPC 879
Asplenium sp.1. CPC 894
Asplenium sp.2. CPC 973
Asplenium sp.3. CPC 1143
Asplenium sp.4. CPC 1012
Asplenium sp.5. CPC 1013
Asplenium sp.6. CPC 1014
Asplenium sp.7. CPC 1018
Asplenium sp.8. CPC 1019
Asplenium sp.9. CPC 1041
Asplenium sp.10. CPC 1069
Asplenium sp.11. CPC 1102
Asplenium sp.12. CPC 1154
Belvesia sp. CPC 889; CPC 1074
Blechnum sp.? CPC 1100
Cheilanthes sp. CPC 1068
Cyrtomium sp.1. CPC 903
Cyrtomium sp.2. CPC 964
Cyrtomium sp.3. CPC 987
Cyrtomium sp.4. CPC 999
Cyrtomium sp.5. CPC 1009
Cyrtomium sp.6. CPC 1047
Cyrtomiun hemionithes CPC 1002
Davallia sp.1. CPC 1073
Davallia sp.2. CPC 1108
Lemmaphyllum microphyllum CPC 943
Lepisorus sp.1. CPC 944
Lepisorus sp.2. CPC 977
Lepisorus sp.3. CPC 1070
Leptochilus sp. CPC 906
Loxogramme sp. CPC 1072
Microsorum membranaceum CPC 972
Mirosorum sp. CPC 1103
Monocosorium sp. CPC 1053
Neocheiropteris sp. CPC 902
Oleandra sp.? CPC 931
Onichium siliculosum CPC 1094
Phymatosorus scolopendrium CPC 1142
Phymatosorus sp.1. CPC 895
Phymatosorus sp.2. CPC 988
Polystichum sp.1. CPC 888
Polystichum sp.2. CPC 1061
Polystichum sp.3. CPC 1090
Polystichum sp.4. CPC 1092
Polystichum sp.5. CPC 1105
Prosaptia sp. CPC 932
16
Pteridrys sp.? CPC 979
Pteris sp.1. CPC 965
Pteris sp.2. CPC 1029
Pyrrosia nummulariifolia Ching CPC 850; CPC 1101; CPC 1144*
Pyrrosia sp.1. CPC 866
Pyrrosia sp.2. CPC 867
Pyrrosia sp.3. CPC 913
Pyrrosia sp.4. CPC 1042
Pyrrosia sp.5. CPC 1075
Tectaria sp. CPC 1080
Primulaceae
Lysimachia sp. CPC 980
Ranunculaceae
Clematis sp.1. CPC 870
Clematis sp.2. CPC 974
Clematis sp.3. CPC 975
Clematis sp.4. CPC 1022
Clematis sp.5. CPC 1027
Clematis sp.6. CPC 1038
Clematis sp.7. CPC 1083
Clematis sp.8. CPC 1084
Clematis sp.9. CPC 1085
Clematis sp.10. CPC 1098
Clematis sp.11. CPC 1131
Rosaceae
Eryobotria sp.? CPC 861
Spiraea sp. CPC 1123
Rubiaceae
Hedyotis sp. CPC 1116
Ixora sp. CPC 911
Ophiorrhiza sp.1. CPC 1091
Ophiorrhiza sp.2. CPC 947
Paederia sp. CPC 970
Wndlandia sp. CPC 1001
Gen.sp. CPC 899
Rutaceae
Gen.sp. CPC 967
Sapotaceae
Gen.sp. CPC 1089
Selaginella tamariscina (P. Beauv.) Spring CPC 1117
Selaginella sp. CPC 896
Urticaceae
Dendroclide urantissima CPC 1028
Pilea sp.1. CPC 1048
Pilea sp.2. CPC 946
Procris sp.1. CPC 1017
Procris sp.2. CPC 1065
Verbenaceae
Gen.sp. CPC 938
Violaceae
Viola sp. CPC 873
Viola sp. CPC 986
Zingiberaceae
Alpinia sp.? CPC 923
Families undeterm.
Fam.? CPC 1039
Fam.? CPC 1025
Selaginellaceae
58 families; 157 genera and 280 species
17
Appendix 2
Notes to report illustrations
Maps of explored area
Fig. 1. Area of field explorations designated on topographic maps of Indochina and NW Vietnam.
Fig. 2. Localities of field work designated with black spots 1-12 in limits of Dien Bien and Son La Provinces.
Landscape and typical landforms in studied area
Fig. 3, 4. Alluvial shale valley with scattered more or less isolated massifs of remnant rocky hills and mountains composed with highly eroded solid crystalline, marble-like rocky
limestone (Dien Bien Prov.).
Fig. 5. Alluvial shale valley with scattered typical remnant rocky mountains composed with highly eroded solid crystalline, marble-like rocky limestone (Son La Prov.).
Fig. 6-10. Typical remnant rocky mountains composed with highly eroded solid crystalline, marble-like rocky limestone in Dien Bien Prov. at elev. 600-900 m (fig. 8) and Son La
Prov. at elev. 800-1300 m (fig. 6, 7, 9, 10).
Character of landscape and landforms in discovered area of Paphiopedilum canhii
Fig. 11. Satellite and topographic maps with indication of discovered and studied localities of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov. and Distr., Na U Municipality). Studied
localities are marked on the maps with red dots; still existing highly depleted populations of the species indicated with round green shade.
Fig. 12. General character of landscape, landforms and vegetation in discovered area of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov. and Distr., Na U Municipality). Views from top of
mountain in locality № 3 to N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W and NW at elev. 900-1000 m.
Fig. 13. Alluvial flat valley elevated at about 700 m a.s.l. in vicinity of Na U village in a few km to S of Paphiopedilum canhii area.
Fig. 14, 15. Several rocky hills elevated to 900-1000 m a.s.l. composed with highly eroded solid crystalline, marble-like gray limestone in few km to N of Na U village represent
very restricted area of Paphiopedilum canhii.
Fig. 16. Shady N, NW and NE faced cliffs of rocky limestone hills at elevation about 950 m a.s.l. give home to habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii.
Kinds of vegetation in studied area
Fig. 17, 18. Remnants of primary broadleaved evergreen closed humid submontane forests on tops of remnant limestone hills in area of Paphiopedilum canhii habitats at elev. 9501000 m a.s.l. Forests of this type were pristine highly endemic plant formation on rocky limestone all over studied areas in Dien Bien and Son La Provinces.
Fig. 19. Modification of primary broadleaved evergreen closed humid submontane forest on tops of remnant limestone hills with remarkable proportion of deciduous trees in canopy
forest stratum (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., at elev. 1400-1500 m a.s.l.).
Fig. 20. Modification of primary broadleaved evergreen closed humid submontane wet forest on tops of remnant limestone hills with particularly rich epiphytic vegetation (Dien
Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., at elev. 1500 m a.s.l.).
Fig. 21. Modification of primary broadleaved evergreen closed submontane rather dry forest on very steep slopes and cliffs of remnant limestone mountain (Son La Prov. And Distr.,
Chieng Co Municipality, at elev. about 900 m a.s.l.).
Fig. 22, 23. Highly degraded primary broadleaved evergreen dry forest on vertical cliffs of remnant highly eroded limestone mountain (Son La Prov. and Distr., Chieng Co
Municipality, at elev. about 750-800 m a.s.l.).
18
Character of Paphiopedilum canhii habitats
Fig. 24-34. Vertical mossy cliffs at elev. 900-1000 m a.s.l. composed with highly eroded solid crystalline, marble-like, gray limestone staying under permanent stable humidity and
shade supported by intact primary forest is highly threatened and endangered habitat of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov. and Distr., Na U Municipality, at elev. 9501000 m a.s.l.).
Fig. 35. In intact primary forest lithophytes (mainly orchids and ferns) form dense continuous cover of rocky outcrops on tops of remnant limestone hills. Orchids in such habitats
reach their maximal diversity and abundance (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., at elev. 1400 m a.s.l.).
Fig. 36. In intact primary forest on tops of remnant limestone hills epiphytes (mainly orchids and ferns) reach their maximal diversity and abundance (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua
Distr., at elev. 1400 m a.s.l.).
Paphiopedilum canhii in its natural habitats and estimation of its present status
Fig. 37-50. Paphiopedilum canhii in its typical natural habitats. Plants in natural conditions growth as typical highly specialized lithophyte on vertical cliffs with roots densely
adpressed to solid limestone. Stable permanent humidity and shade of habitat is obligate requirement for species survival.
Fig. 51-52. Marks from roots of gathered samples of Paphiopedilum canhii on vertical limestone wall that give bright evidence of recent mass plant collecting.
Fig. 53-55. Evidence of recent mass plant collecting in former dense intact full-blooded populations of Paphiopedilum canhii. Traces of eliminated plants and still survived
specimens are indicated by red and green arrows respectively. Plant collecting till December 2010 eliminated from 99% to 100% plants in all known subpopulations. In few
found highly depleted clones with maximal number of survived samples were eliminated from 69% (fig. 55) to 96% (fig. 54) plants. Survival samples are commonly
represented by juvenile of highly decreased senile plants not capable for further propagation.
Fig. 56. Polygon of formal Paphiopedilum canhii occupancy on satellite map. Studied localities (were studied all localities appropriate for species survival in the area) are marked on
the map with red dots; localities were still existing highly depleted populations of the species found are indicated with round green shade. Total area of formal speculative
species occupancy is area of polygon pointed by 5 existing subpopulations with approximate square 0.35 km 2.
Associated Paphiopedilum species in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii
Fig. 57-59. Paphiopedilum malipoense S.C.Chen et Z.H.Tsi. Critically endangered species endemic for Indochinese area (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., CPC 1000).
Fig. 60-65. Paphiopedilum coccineum Perner et R.Herrmann. Critically endangered species endemic for Indochinese area (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., CPC 918 and CPC
998).
Fig. 66-68. Paphiopedilum dianthum . Tang et F.T.Wang. Endangered species endemic for Indochinese area (Dien Bien Prov. and Distr., Na U Municipality, Dien Bien Prov., Tua
Chua Distr. and Dien Bien Prov., Muong Cha Distr., CPC 862, CPC 878 and CPC 1087).
Specific spectacular plant species in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii
Fig. 69-71. Vaccinium sp. Tuberiferous epiphytic or lithophytic scandent shrub species, most probably new for the flora of Vietnam (Dien Bien Prov. and Distr., Na U Municipality
and Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., CPC 849, CPC 874 and CPC 954).
Fig. 72. Vaccinium sp. Tuberiferous epiphytic pendulous shrub species common in the area (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., CPC 1007).
Fig. 73, 74. Vaccinium sp. Tuberiferous epiphytic and lithophytic creeping shrub species common in the area (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., CPC 937).
Fig. 75-77. Selaginella tamariscina (P. Beauv.) Spring. Spectacular lithophytic herb occurring on vertical limestone cliffs in studied area (Son La Prov., Chieng Co Municipality,
CPC 1117).
Associated orchid species in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii
19
Fig. 78-80. Oberonia ensiformis (Sm.) Lindl. Lithophytic orchid species closely associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov. and Distr., Na U Municipality,
CPC 859).
Fig. 81, 82. Trichosma coronaria (Lindl.) Brieger. Lithophytic orchid species closely associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., CPC 935,
CPC 942).
Fig. 83, 84. Coelogyne fimbriata Lindl. Lithophytic and epiphytic orchid species closely associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., CPC
941).
Fig. 85-87. Monomeria barbata Lindl. Lithophytic and epiphytic orchid species closely associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., CPC
924, CPC 990).
Fig. 88. Anoectochilus calcareus Aver. Lithophytic and terrestrial orchid species closely associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., CPC
924, CPC 990). Local calcium dependent species endemic for northern Vietnam.
Fig. 89, 90. Panisea tricallosa Rolfe. Lithophytic and epiphytic orchid species closely associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., CPC
876, CPC 917; Dien Bien Prov., Muong Cha Distr., CPC 1086).
Fig. 91, 92. Panisea tricallosa Rolfe. Lithophytic and epiphytic orchid species closely associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., CPC
876, CPC 917; Dien Bien Prov., Muong Cha Distr., CPC 1086).
Fig. 93, 94. Vanda brunnea Rchb.f. Endangered epiphytic orchid species closely associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., CPC 891).
Fig. 95-98. Vanda brunnea Rchb.f. Endangered epiphytic orchid species closely associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii. Variation in shape and coloration of flower in
natural populations. (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., CPC 891).
Fig. 99. Thrixpermum calceolus (Lindl.) Rchb.f. Epiphytic orchid species closely associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii in dense community of epiphytic orchids and
ferns on tree branch in tree canopy (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., CPC 934; Dien Bien Prov., Muong Cha Distr., CPC 1067).
Fig. 100, 101. Acampe ochracea Hochr. Epiphytic orchid species closely associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., CPC s.n.).
Fig. 102. Dendrobium nobile Lindl. var. albolutea D.H.Duong et Aver. Epiphytic orchid species associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., CPC s.n.).
Fig. 103. Dendrobium heterocarpum Wall. ex Lindl. Epiphytic orchid species associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., CPC s.n.).
Fig. 104. Dendrobium moniliforme Sw. Epiphytic orchid species associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., CPC s.n.).
Fig. 105. Dendrobium longicornu Lindl. Epiphytic orchid species associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., CPC s.n.).
Fig. 106, 107. Sunipia andersonii ( King et Pantl. ) P.F.Hunt Epiphytic orchid species closely associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr.,
CPC 1005; Dien Bien Prov., Muong Cha Distr., CPC 1088).
Fig. 108, 109. Cymbidium eburneum Lindl. Lithophytic and epiphytic orchid species closely associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., CPC s.n.).
Fig. 110. Coelogyne assamica Linden et Rchb.f. Epiphytic orchid species associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., CPC s.n.).
Fig. 111, 112. Callostylis rigida Blume. Creeping epiphytic and lithophytic orchid species closely associated with habitats of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., Muong Cha
Distr., CPC1052; Son La Prov., Chieng Co Municipality, CPC 1113).
New and rare orchid species in the flora of Vietnam found in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii
Fig. 113-115. xLockia sonii Aver. New for science natural generic hybrid of Luisia and Vanda discovered in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii (Son La Prov., Chieng Co
Municipality, CPC 1140).
Fig. 116-119. Coelogyne micrantha Lindl. Species new for the flora of Vietnam discovered in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., Muong Cha Distr., CPC 1077).
Fig. 120, 121. Monomeria gymnopus (Hook.f.) Aver. Species new for the flora of Vietnam discovered in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov. and Distr., Na U
Municipality, CPC 848; Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., CPC 941).
Fig. 122, 123. Schoenorchis seidenfadenii U.C.Pradhan. Very rare orchid species discovered in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii (Son La Prov., Chieng Co Municipality, CPC
1139).
20
Fig. 124. Schoenorchis fragrans (Par. et Rchb.f.) U.C.Pradhan. Very rare orchid species new for the flora of Vietnam discovered in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii (Son La
Prov., Chieng Co Municipality, CPC 1138).
Fig. 125. Dendrobium senile Par. et Rchb.f. Very rare orchid species new for the flora of Vietnam discovered in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., CPC s.n.).
Fig. 126, 127. Dendrobium porphyrochilum Lindl. Very rare orchid species in the flora of Vietnam discovered in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., CPC s.n.).
Fig. 128, 129. Bulbophyllum lockii Aver. Very rare orchid species in the flora of Vietnam discovered in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., CPC
921). Local endemic of north-western Vietnam.
Fig. 130, 131. Cheirostylis latilabris Aver. Very rare orchid species in the flora of Vietnam discovered in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr.,
CPC 982). Local endemic of northern Vietnam.
Fig. 132, 133. Cymbidium cyperifolium Wall. ex Lindl. Orchid species new for the flora of Vietnam discovered in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii (Son La Prov., CPC s.n.).
Fig. 134-136. Porpax elwesii (Rchb.f.) Rolfe. Very rare orchid species in the flora of Vietnam discovered in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr.,
CPC 989).
Fig. 137. Eriodes barbata (Lindl.) Rolfe. Very rare orchid species in the flora of Vietnam discovered in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr., CPC
925).
Fig. 138, 139. Coelogyle ovalis Lindl. Very rare orchid species in the flora of Vietnam discovered in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov., Muong Cha Distr., CPC
1054).
Fig. 140. Taeniophyllum glandulosum Blume. Very rare leafless orchid species in the flora of Vietnam discovered in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii (Son La Prov., Chieng Co
Municipality, CPC 1137).
Main factors of fast extinction of aboriginal species in native area of Paphiopedilum canhii
Fig. 141. Logging of timber trees of canopy primary forest stratum (Chickrassia tabularis A.Juss.) in discovered area of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov. and Distr., Na U
Municipality).
Fig. 142. Secondary weed vegetation completely lacking aboriginal species on the top of remnant hill composed with highly eroded solid crystalline, marble-like rocky limestone
(Son La Prov., Mai Son Distr.). Result of deep irreversible degradation of primary flora and vegetation succeeded after primary forest logging.
Fig. 143, 144. Wide agricultural fields rapidly replacing primary vegetation in discovered area of Paphiopedilum canhii (Dien Bien Prov. and Distr., Na U Municipality) for
cultivation of maize (fig. 143) and vegetables (fig. 144).
Fig. 145, 146. Wide areas of primitive planting of maize on rocky badlands after forest logging and burning rapidly replacing primary vegetation in all over studied area (Son La
Prov., Mai Son Distr. – fig. 145 and Dien Bien Prov. and Distr., Na U Municipality – fig. 146).
Fig. 147. Wide areas of primitive planting of maize on rocky badlands and terracing of slopes for rice paddy-fields rapidly replacing primary vegetation in all over studied area (Dien
Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr.).
Fig. 148. Top of remnant rocky limestone hill occupied by community of aggressive exotic weed species with domination of Euphorbia antiquorum L. fatally replacing species of
indigenous aboriginal flora in all studied area (Son La Prov., Mai Son Distr.).
Fig. 149, 150. Road and other communication construction fatally lead to full destruction not only primary vegetation but also specific landforms all over studied area (Dien Bien
Prov. and Distr., Na U Municipality – fig. 149; Son La Prov., Mai Son Distr. – fig. 150).
Fig. 151-154. Paphiopedilum canhii in local nurseries of Dien Bien City. Commercial plant collecting, much exceeding demands of the market and poor opportunities for their
successful cultivation in local nurseries leads to loss of most wild collected specimens.
Scenes of field works according to current project
Fig. 155. Observation of landscape and vegetation from the top of rocky, highly eroded remnant limestone mountain, Prof. L.Averyanov (Son La Prov., Chieng Co Municipality).
Fig. 156. Photography of Paphiopedilum canhii on vertical limestone cliff, Chu Xuan Canh (Dien Bien Prov. and Distr., Na U Municipality).
21
Fig. 157. Climbing on steep rocky slope of rocky, highly eroded remnant limestone mountain during field works, Pham Van The (Son La Prov., Chieng Co Municipality).
Fig. 158. Study of Paphiopedilum coccineum Perner et R.Herrmann in its typical natural habitat Prof. L.Averyanov (Dien Bien Prov., Tua Chua Distr.).
Fig. 159. Field work in close cooperation of FPD (Forest Protection Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) officers, Prof. L.Averyanov and Nguyen
Tien Vinh under photography of collected plants (Dien Bien Prov, Muong Cha Distr.).
Fig. 160, 161. Talks with orchid dealers on local markets for information on diversity and distribution of orchid species offered for sale, Prof. L.Averyanov and Nguyen Tien Vinh
(Dien Bien and Son La cities).
22