New 'treasure' discovered on the mountain in Phong Nha

Flower and leaf morphology of Phong Nha - Ke Bang White-headed Tree

In August 2025, on the website of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, information was posted about a new plant species, with the scientific name Decaneuropsis phongnhakebangensis, named in Vietnam as Bach dau Phong Nha - Ke Bang. This is the result of a cooperation program between the Institute of Tropical Biology and Kagoshima University Museum (Japan) on biodiversity training and research.

The species Decaneuropsis phongnhakebangensis or Bach dau Phong Nha - Ke Bang was discovered in the shrub forest on limestone mountains at an altitude of about 777m. The specific area found is Hang Va - Nuoc Nut. Bach dau Phong Nha - Ke Bang belongs to the genus Decaneuropsis, family Asteraceae, order Asterales.

In terms of morphology, Phong Nha - Ke Bang White-headed Tree is a climbing shrub that can grow up to 5m high. Young branches of the tree have short, close-growing yellow-brown hairs, while old branches are smooth. Leaves grow alternately, are inverted egg-shaped or oval, 2.1 - 10.2 cm long and 1.0 - 3.4 cm wide, the upper surface is smooth, without glands, the lower surface has sparse hairs, without glands. The leaf stalk is 0.2 - 0.9 cm long. The inflorescence grows at the tip of the branch or leaf axil, solitary or in 2 - 3 clusters. The flower head is bell-shaped, 1.6 - 1.8 cm in diameter, with a 2 - 7 mm long stalk. The corolla is funnel-shaped, dark purple, 12.3 mm long. The stamen is attached to the corolla, 4.3 mm long. The ovary is cylindrical, 5 - 5.8 mm long, with 11 - 12 ridges. The crest is about 9.5 mm long and yellow-brown in color.

The discovery of Bach dau Phong Nha - Ke Bang is an important record in the botanical world. This not only expands the list of plants, enriching the biodiversity of Vietnam but also broadens the understanding of evolutionary relationships within the Asteraceae family.

Up to now, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park has recorded a total of 2,956 species of plants and 1,404 species of animals. Of which, 07 new species of plants have been announced to science domestically and internationally.

Peaceful

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/cong-nghe/phat-hien-kho-bau-moi-tren-nui-o-phong-nha-ke-bang/20250930064101196