Transparent plant species recorded for the first time living at the highest latitude in Vietnam

(NLDO) - A transparent plant species (without chlorophyll) was recorded for the first time living at the highest latitude in Vietnam in a forest in Thanh Hoa.

On December 23, news from Xuan Lien Nature Reserve (Thuong Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province) said that in the primeval forest area of ​​Vin village (Bat Mot commune, Thuong Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province), scientists have just recorded a transparent plant species without chlorophyll.

A new transparent plant species without chlorophyll has been recorded for the first time at the highest location in Vietnam. Photo: Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center

According to the report, during the ecological and biodiversity survey in October 2023, scientists from the Vietnam - Russia Joint Research Group (Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center and Moscow State University, Russia) together with scientists from Xuan Lien Nature Reserve recorded a plant species for science, which was published in the Phytotaxa journal, June 2024.

The new species, scientifically named Thismia papillata, is the only chlorophyll-free plant discovered at an altitude of 800 m above sea level.

According to scientists, normally, plants with chlorophyll synthesize their own nutrition through photosynthesis. Most plants without chlorophyll must obtain nutrients through symbiosis with some fungi during growth and development, called heterotrophic plants (Mycoheterotrophic).

Thismia papillata species belongs to the genus Thismia, family Thismiaceae, is a very small herbaceous plant that lives in symbiosis with fungi, has slightly succulent stems, fibrous roots, lives on land and prefers moderate humidity.

The spike (when in flower) is about 1 mm long, bearing a single terminal flower surrounded by three bracts. The leaves are small, alternate or opposite, reduced to triangular or ovate scales, glabrous, 2 mm long and devoid of chlorophyll.

The bracts are pale white, obovate, 4.0-4.9 mm long, smooth, and firmly attached to the flower base. The flowers are bisexual, pale white, about 13 mm long, inverted cup-shaped, slightly inclined, with prominent papillae on the outer surface and bent about 90 degrees in the middle. The stamens are united into a curved tube shaped like a boot, the lower ovary has many cells. The flowers bloom in October.

The most distinctive feature of this species compared to other species in the genus Thismia is the morphology of the appendages of the outer and inner perianths. The inner perianths are fused into a cap, the appendages of the outer perianths are 15 mm long, those of the inner perianths are 9 mm long.

To date, scientists have identified 109 species of the genus Tit Mi worldwide, most of which are distributed from tropical and subtropical Asia to temperate Australia and the Americas.

In Vietnam, scientists have also identified 6 species of the genus Thismia. Notably, all 6 species are distributed from Quang Tri onwards. Only one specimen of the Thismia papillata species in Xuan Lien was discovered, recorded for the first time to be distributed at the highest latitude in our country.

According to scientists, the discovery of the new plant species Thismia papillata in Xuan Lien Nature Reserve continues to add evidence that this is one of the reserves with valuable biodiversity values ​​in Vietnam as well as Southeast Asia. At the same time, this place needs to continue to have more comprehensive research and evaluation to promote the value of biodiversity, ecology and environment.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/loai-thuc-vat-trong-suot-lan-dau-ghi-nhan-song-o-vi-do-cao-nhat-viet-nam-196241223150057643.htm