Hoang Bac camellia (also known as Hoang Bac tea) has just been recognized as a new plant species - Photo: NGUYEN VAN CANH
According to botanist Nguyen Van Canh, who discovered this camellia species with his colleagues, Hoang Bac camellia was found in a primeval evergreen forest at an altitude of 700 m in Van Canh (formerly Binh Dinh, now Gia Lai ). The tree is small, 3-4.5 m tall; narrow, thick, glossy oval leaves; bright red flowers, 7-8 cm in diameter with 6-7 tightly packed round petals, thin white edges, pale yellow stamens. Flowers bloom mainly from December to March.
The work was published in the Dalat University Science Journal in September 2025 and listed in the International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Mr. Canh recorded more than 50 mature trees in an area of 2-3 hectares, with naturally regenerated young trees, showing that the population is still stable despite the risk of being threatened if the habitat is fragmented or exploited.
Researcher Nguyen Van Canh said this is one of nearly 100 new plant species he has discovered in the past 10 years, but this is the first time he has chosen to name it after a doctor.
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hoang Bac - Photo: University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City
This decision was agreed upon by him and Dr. Pham Hoa Anh, Thien Hanh Hospital, Buon Ma Thuot), a student of Dr. Bac, as a way to show gratitude to the respected teacher.
"Doctor Hoang Bac is a simple person, loves nature and is constantly devoted to the medical profession. I think a beautiful, durable and rare flower like camellia is a worthy gift to honor him," Mr. Canh shared.
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hoang Bac is currently the Director of Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Vice Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and holds many important positions in professional associations such as the Vietnam Endoscopic Surgery Association, the Surgical Association, the Hepatobiliary Association, etc.
He is considered by the medical community as a pioneer in bringing modern Vietnamese endoscopic surgery techniques to the Southeast Asian region.
Dr. Pham Hoa Anh said that although he does not like to be mentioned, Dr. Nguyen Hoang Bac is still grateful to know that there is a tree named after him.
"For us, this is not only to honor an individual, but also a way to connect two seemingly distant fields - medicine and botany, and to spread humanistic values and sustainable knowledge," he said.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoa-tra-my-moi-vinh-danh-bac-si-nguyen-hoang-bac-20251015084543819.htm
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