The new fern species Polystichum quangbinhense is found in the Quang Binh karst cave (Photo courtesy of Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park)Quang Binh(VNA) - American and Vietnamese scientists have discovered a new fern speciesgrowing inside grottos in central Quang Binh province.
The fern species belongsto the Dryopteridaceae familyand is named Polystichumquangbinhense followingits geographical habitat.
This fern variety wasfound growing at a height of 120m, the lowest elevation of the cave species inthe genus, in shady and humid conditions.
The scientists, who arepart of a joint programme between Vietnamese Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park,American Missouri Botanical Garden and other partners, found the fern growingin two places in the karst caves of Doi and So Dua in the park.
Despite the discovery,the scientists added the fern to the critical endangered list according to theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list criteria.
According to thescientists, the fern is the only southernmost cave species of the genus growingin tropical climate and its discovery is significant to the study of the genus.Another species has been found in southern China.
The park is home to 248species of 26 families of fern flora.- VNA
VNA
