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Trees of Laos and Vietnam: A Field Guide to 100 Economically or Ecologically Important Species
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This field guide to 100 economically or ecologically important tree species from Laos and Vietnam enables the user to identify the included taxa with user-friendly keys. It includes scientific names, botanical descriptions of families, genera, and species. Specific information on distribution, habitat, ecology, and uses has been compiled. All specimens examined have been listed.
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... The tree is crucial for its ethno-medicinal applications and local materials. Its straight and clean bole is used to produce building materials (Grierson & Long, 1983), boats (Hiep et al., 2004), furniture, household utensils, woodcarvings, musical instruments, pencils, and paper (Sam et al., 2004;Farjon, 2013;Groves & Rutherford, 2015;Benatrehina et al., 2019). In addition, its bark and leaves are utilized for treating diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery, herpes, rheumatism, and arthritis, and boiled leaf water is used for bathing (Shrestha et al., 2001;Razan et al., 2016;Tamang et al., 2017). ...
... The occurrence of Podocarpus neriifolius seedlings is mostly determined by soil depth and soil phosphorus level as reported by Akkarasedthanon et al. (2017). According to Sam et al. (2004), the species prefers fertile, humid, and rich soil and is associated with Castanopsis spp., Dacrycarpus imbricatus, Fokienia hodginsii, Lithocarpus spp. and Pometia species. ...
... According to several authors (Grierson & Long, 1983;de Laubenfels, 1985de Laubenfels, , 2015Liguo et al., 1999;Sam et al., 2004;Averyanov et al., 2014;Salvaña et al., 2015), Podocarpus neriifolius grows up to 45 m tall with brown bark, fibrous, and branches spreading or ascending. Foliage buds 2-7 mm long and 2-4 mm in diameter, bud scales erect, triangular, 1- ...
Podocarpus neriifolius is a rare species in the Himalayan region with a restricted distribution in small, dispersed areas. This study aims to understand the floristic composition and influence of environmental factors on the distribution of P. neriifolius in Athang block in Wangdue Phodrang district. Additionally, it also investigates its regeneration status and the habitat suitability of P. neriifolius in Bhutan. Fifteen quadrats (size 400 m2) were established following a purposive sampling method between 1000 and 2000 m elevation to gather tree data. Quadrats of size 25 m2 and 400 cm2 were nested within each tree quadrat to enumerate the regeneration of tree species and collect soil samples. Thirty herb plots (size 4 m2), two plots at the corner of each tree plot were established to investigate ground cover. A total of 105 plant species belonging to 93 genera and 58 families were recorded from the study area. P. neriifolius was the most dominant species with an Important Value Index (IVI) value of 41.65% and a Log(SumAbund) value of 2.52. The regeneration status of P. neriifolius was good which consisted of 46.58% , but, the Kruskal Wallis test revealed that there were no significant differences between the regeneration groups, H(2) = 1.387, p = 0.500. Based on DBH and Height class analysis, P. neriifolius showed inverse-J and sporadic type of regeneration where
regeneration occurred continuously or intermittently. The CCA ordination depicted that temperature (r = .924) was an important environmental factor followed by precipitation (r = .541) for the growth and distribution of P. neriifolius. This study found that the tree is found in forests with good canopy cover ranging from 50% to 90% and in acidic soil with pH values ranging from 4.35 to 6.10. A total area of 1,630.09 km2 was predicted to be highly suitable for the growth and distribution of the species in Bhutan. Therefore, in pursuit of conserving the species, those projected areas can be managed to ensure the stability of its population in the natural habitat.
... Seed shells are used as fuel in brick kilns. Likewise, fibrous bark can be used for making ropes (Hoang et al., 2004;Poudel, 2003). ...
... It is commonly found in secondary forests below 600 m altitudes in Vietnam; 300 to 2000 m altitude in southern China. Naturally, this tree species grows on wet, deep soils or on heavy clay or sandy soils (Hoang et al., 2004). ...
Choerospondias axillaris (Roxb.) B.L.Burtt & A.W.Hill (Family: Anacardiaceae), commonly known as Nepali hog plum or Lapsi, is a deciduous tree bearing edible fruits. Native to Nepal, the tree is also distributed to India, China, Japan, Bhutan, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. Fruits are rich in vitamin C, amino acids, and minerals and are processed to make varieties of food products such as candies, Mada, and fruit tarts in Nepal. A phytochemical investigation has revealed the presence of different classes of compounds such as flavonoids, sterols, organic acids, and polysaccharides from the fruits of this plant. Studies have reported various pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and cardioprotective activities from fruit and peel extracts. This review details the chemical constituents, nutritional and pharmacological attributes of C. axillaris and explores the potential of its fruit products in Nepal and the international market.
... The diagnostic key for P. neriifolius in tropical Asia (de laubenfels 2015) is based on the lanceolate apical halves of mature leaves with a narrowly acute, broad, and blunt upper midrib. The plants found in China, Laos, and Vietnam have leaves that are linear or lanceolate, slightly curved, with a short petiole (> 6 mm long), a long acuminate apex, and a flat or slightly raised midvein on the adaxial surface (Sam & al., 2004) or a raised midvein adaxially (Liguo & al., 1999) and an acute or acuminate apex (Averyanov & al., 2014). In contrast, the species found in the Philippines has a longer petiole (6-10 mm long), and leaves that are less than 6 mm long in other regions (Salvaña & al., 2018). ...
Podocarpus neriifolius D.Don is reported as a new record in Bhutan following a study of fresh plant materials and herbarium specimens collected from the warm broad-leaved forest of the Athang Block in Wangdue Phodrang District. Detailed descriptions of the species along with photographs and notes are provided. The current IUCN Red List status of P. neriifolius in Bhutan is assessed as Endangered [EN B2ab(ii,iii); C2a(i)].
... Mesua ferrea Linn is a medium to big evergreen tree of the Clusiaceae family that is extensively spread in India, Burma, Nepal, Thailand, Indochina, and New Guinea ( Van Sam H. et al. 2004, Byrne, C., 2018 [119,21] . It is found in the lower Himalayas from Nepal, Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India (Nadpara, N. 2012, Barbade, K. D., &Datar, A. G. 2015, Shome, U.1982, Chitte, R. 2016 [82,18,105,28] and reach elevations of up to 1500 metres (Siram, O., 2022, Rajilesh, V. K. 2019) [105,93] . ...
Overuse of antimicrobial drugs has led to selective resistance to existing antibiotics, necessitating the development of different and improved alternatives. Natural substances, particularly those derived from plants, are well-known for their therapeutic characteristics, including antibacterial and antifungal properties. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of isolated bioactive flavonoid Mesua ferrea in-A from the bark of Mesua ferrea L. by in vivo approach. The Alpha Amylase Inhibition Assay was used to assess antidiabetic effectiveness in vitro. Fractions 3 and 5 displayed the most activity. Using reducing power, an antioxidant activity test was performed. Fraction no. 3 showed a higher absorbance of 0.94 at 500 g/ml.
... The wood is not locally popular, so logging is primarily driven by international demand. However, the species has been used locally for crafts and furniture, as well as for stilts and construction of houses before broad international demand began (van Sam et al. 2004, CTSP 2004. In Viet Nam it is classified as first class prime timber, used for furniture (beds, wardrobes, desks, etc.), wood turnery, fine-art articles, musical instruments and sewing-machines. ...
... The species has been used locally for crafts and furniture, as well as for stilts and construction of houses, before broad international demand began (van Sam et al. 2004, CTSP 2004. ...
Cinnamomum cassia L., commonly known as cinnamon, is a widely used aromatic spice and medicinal plant with a rich history of culinary and therapeutic applications. In this study, a new phenylpropanoid, named di(1,3-dioxane)cassin A (4), and 13 known compounds (1‒3, 5‒14), were isolated from the bark of C. cassia. Their structures were successfully elucidated using modern spectroscopic techniques, such as nuclear magnetic resonance, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. In addition, isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). Compound 4 exhibited sEH inhibition with an IC50 value of 28.80 µM. Enzyme kinetics experiment indicated that compound 4 acted as a competitive sEH inhibitor. In silico methods, including molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, were employed to determine and understand the binding mechanism and dynamics behavior of this active compound with sEH.
Informed from historical case studies of land cover change and development in northern countries, forest transition (FT) theories have a tendency to precast specific conclusions. Considering the case of a so-called FT in Thừa Thiên Huế Province in tropical Central Vietnam, we investigated 1.) whether such a ‘FT’ indeed reflects a resurgence of genuine forest, 2.) whether the land cover changes can be explained through conventional ‘pathways’ of FT, and 3.) in which ways the changes may or may not portend ‘sustainable development’. Using satellite imagery and topographic maps, we produced maps for twenty land cover types for the years 1966, 1973, 1979, 1988, 1998, 2008, 2016 and 2019 and analysed land cover change over time. We contextualize these results with reference to the historical and scientific literature on Vietnam, and find that 1.) the forestlands represent a historically rich bio-cultural landscape; 2.) considerable forest destruction resulted from the Second Indochina War rather than classical degradation pathways; 3.) in the post-war period altered forestland spaces and re-emerging land uses interacted with state-led re-territorialization and socialist plans for land resource development, influencing shifts in forest cover; 4.) during 1979–1988 state-led intensive timber logging in remaining rainforests (causing widespread forest degradation) somewhat paradoxically (in terms of conventional FT models and theories) coincided already with a slight increase in lower-biomass tree cover; 5.) after 1988 logging in natural forests was officially prohibited (logging bans), and forestry shifted to a reliance on wood produced in acacia-based plantations (largely on lands officially allocated to households); and 6.) this shift went along with a significant state-led restructuring and development of land use policies and the promotion of forestrelevant economic industries. ‘Restoration’ of tree cover mainly consisted of the expansion of exotic tree plantations, but – at least intermittently – this may also have mitigated impacts on natural forests. We conclude with some reflections on the FT-outcome, its ‘sustainability’, and future trajectories and possibilities of land cover changes in TTHP.
Choerospondias axillaris Roxb. (Anacardiaceae) is a deciduous tree, native to Nepal and the Himalayan region, that can reach a maximum height of 20 m. The study aimed to assess the total phenol, flavonoid, and carbohydrate content, and preliminary antioxidant potency, xanthine oxidase inhibition, and antibacterial properties of C. axillaris fruits extracts. Ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol, and water were used as extraction solvents. The quantitative analysis showed that the extracts had total polyphenols (68.28 µg to 154.91 µg gallic acid equivalent/mg extract), flavonoids (41.72 to 283.84 µg quercetin equivalent/mg extract), and carbohydrates contents (67.26 µg to 269.96 µg glucose equivalent/mg extract). The acetone extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (IC50: 15.72 µg/mL) and potent inhibition of xanthine oxidase (IC50: 20.80 µg/mL) among the extracts. The acetone extract exhibited the strongest antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus with inhibition zones of 13.76 mm and 12.56 mm, respectively. It also had the lowest minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC: 0.78 mg/mL) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC: 0.52 mg/mL) against S. aureus. In conclusion, the C. axillaris fruit extracts showed potent antioxidant, xanthine oxidase inhibitory, and antibacterial activities, suggesting their potential for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Further research should focus on the identification of active compounds and in vivo analysis of pharmacological activities
This study investigated the anatomical and non-anatomical characteristics of six wood species, Acacia mangium, Acacia hybrid, Dillenia pentagyna, Anacardium occidentale, Hevea brasiliensis, and Melaleuca cajuputi, from a plantation in Vietnam. The anatomical characteristics and non-anatomical characteristics were observed following the International Association of Wood Anatomists (IAWA) list. All species showed diffuse porosity and non-septate fibers. Exclusively solitary vessels were only observed in M. cajuputi. Vestured pits were observed in A. mangium, A. hybrid, and M. cajuputi, and tyloses were found in A. occidentale and H. brasiliensis. We observed vasicentric axial parenchyma in A. mangium, A. hybrid, A. occidentale, and H. brasiliensis, whereas diffuse axial parenchyma was observed in D. pentagyna and M. cajuputi. Further, prismatic crystals in the axial parenchyma cells existed in A. mangium, A. hybrid, and H. brasiliensis, and raphides in ray cells were observed in D. pentagyna. Silica bodies in ray cells were found in A. occidentale and M. cajuputi. H. brasiliensis exhibited the greatest vessel diameter and ray height, with D. pentagyna exhibiting the greatest fiber length and wall thickness. All the species showed considerable differences in heartwood fluorescence, water and ethanol extract colors, and froth test reactions.
Lecomte Vernacular names -han, hant (Savannakhet)
- H Tonkinensis
H. tonkinensis Lecomte
Vernacular names -han, hant (Savannakhet), Lueat nok (Vientiane) (L); Sang máu, Máu chó lá
ló˙n (V).
Vernacular names -Kham phi leung (Vientiane), padong deng (Savannakhet) (L)
- D Mam Mosa
D. mam
mosa Pierre
Vernacular names -Kham phi leung (Vientiane), padong deng (Savannakhet) (L); câ ʼ m lai, câ ʼ m
lai bong, câ ʼ m lai mât (South), Trắc lai (ninh Thuân) (V).
Kurz) Kuntze; Pterocarpus cambo dianus (pierre) Gagnep.; P. cambodianus var. glaucinus (pierre) Gagnep.; P. cambodianus var. gracilis (pierre) Gagnep.; P. cambodianus var. parviflorus (pierre) Gagnep
- L Macrocarpum
L. macrocarpum (Kurz) Kuntze; Pterocarpus cambo
dianus (pierre) Gagnep.; P. cambodianus var. glaucinus (pierre) Gagnep.; P. cambodianus var.
gracilis (pierre) Gagnep.; P. cambodianus var. parviflorus (pierre) Gagnep.; P. macrocarpus Kurz
var. oblongus (pierre) Gagnep.
Gmel. madhuca pasquieri (dubard) h.J. Lam Synonyms -Bassia pasquieri Lecomte; Dasillipe pasquieri dubard Vernacular names -Sến
- J F Madhuca
MAdhucA J.F. Gmel.
madhuca pasquieri (dubard) h.J. Lam
Synonyms -Bassia pasquieri Lecomte; Dasillipe pasquieri dubard
Vernacular names -Sến, Sến mâ. t (V).
Lagerstroemia grandiflora dc. Vernacular names -Lin ngo (Khammouane prov.), phay (Xieng Khouang prov.), Ten (Laung prabang prov.) (L)
- Synonyms -Duabanga
- Buch
Synonyms -Duabanga sonneratioides Buch.-ham.; Lagerstroemia grandiflora dc.
Vernacular names -Lin ngo (Khammouane prov.), phay (Xieng Khouang prov.), Ten (Laung prabang
prov.) (L); phay sù˙ng, phay, Bằng lằng bần (V).
heterophyllum b. Young leaves reniform, mature leaves obovate, truncate or heart-shaped at base, apex 3 -5-lobed. Stipules divided. Fruit a capsule, with 5 straight longitudinal ridges
- Pterospermum Schreb
PtEroSPErMUM Schreb.
KEY To ThE SpEcIES
1a. Young leaves palmate, mature leaves elliptic, base oblique, apex pointed. Stipules
linear. Fruit a terete, not ridged capsule................ 1. p. heterophyllum
b. Young leaves reniform, mature leaves obovate, truncate or heart-shaped at base,
apex 3 -5-lobed. Stipules divided. Fruit a capsule, with 5 straight longitudinal
ridges........................................ 2. p. truncatolobatum
1. pterospermum heterophyllum hance
Vernacular names -ham ao (L);
Vernacular names -ham ao (L)
- Gagnep Pterospermum Truncatolobatum
pterospermum truncatolobatum Gagnep.
Vernacular names -ham ao (L);