Researchers from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) and South China Botanical Garden (XTBG) have recently completed their 27-day joint botanical expedition to Laos. They conducted systematic field surveys in multiple nature reserves across Houaphan and Khammouane provinces, marking the first such collaborative biodiversity mission of 2026. During the expedition, the researchers collected 1,293 vouchers of vascular plants and captured over 10,300 photographs documenting plant species and their habitats. Among the preliminary findings, the team identified several new national records for Laos, including genera such as Zenia, Itoa, and Distichochlamys. In addition, multiple suspected new species within genera Dalbergia, Mussaenda, and others are now under further examination. Laos, located in the heart of the Indochinese Peninsula, is recognized as one of the world’s key biodiversity hotspots. The survey focused on three representative protected areas spanning northern and central Laos: Nam Et–Phou Louey National Protected Area, Nam Xam National Protected Area, and Hin Nam No National Park. The expedition has provided an initial understanding of the vegetation and floristic composition of northeastern and south central Lao provinces, laying important groundwork for future in depth surveys. 
Field expedition in Laos. 
Field expedition in Laos. 
Field expedition in Laos.
|
