Strange tree with only one leaf in Vietnam

This plant is so rare that many people compare finding it to finding diêu ​​bông leaves.

Unique plants of Vietnam

In Vietnam, there is a very unique tree. It has only one heart-shaped leaf. Therefore, this tree is called the one-leaf tree.

The monocotyledonous plant, scientifically named Nervilia fordii (Hance) Schultze, belongs to the Orchidaceae (Lan) family and is a genus of unique plant species in the Orchidaceae family, with the common characteristic of having only one leaf in its life cycle. It is also known as thanh thien quy, lan mot la, lan co, chau diep, slam jasmine, bua thooc (Tay), bau thooc.

These are perennial herbaceous plants with round or oval tubers and heart-shaped leaves with radiating fan-like veins, growing from a stalk connected to the root tuber. Monopodial orchids have one or two flowers growing from a straight stem. When flowering, the plant has no leaves. Only after the flowers have bloomed do leaves begin to develop.

In Vietnam, there are 5 species of monocotyledonous orchids recorded.

Currently, about 80 species of monocotyledonous orchids have been discovered, widely distributed in mainland Africa, Asia and various islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Monopodial plants regenerate naturally by tuberous rays , so in a group of plants in nature there are often many plants of different ages.

In Vietnam , there are 5 species of monocotyledonous orchids recorded, including Nervilia aragoana, Nervilia crispata, Nervilia fordii, Nervilia plicata and Nervilia prainiana. This species is often found in limestone mountains and humid places at the foot of mountains . The plant often grows in Lao Cai, Hoa Binh, Ninh Binh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Ha Tay, Son La, Lai Chau, .

In folk medicine, the one-leaf orchid has long been considered a valuable medicinal plant. All parts of the one-leaf plant can be used as medicine, used fresh or dried.

According to the book "Medicinal plants and medicinal animals in Vietnam, volume 1, Science and Technology Publishing House, Hanoi" , the leaves and roots of the plant have a sweet, slightly bitter taste, are neutral and cool, and have the effect of clearing heat, moistening the lungs, reducing coughs, dispersing blood stasis, detoxifying, and relieving pain. The leaves and plants are also used as antidotes, especially for mushroom poisoning, to cool the lungs, and to treat tuberculosis, chronic coughs, and bronchitis. Chewing fresh roots quenches thirst and nourishes the body.

Close-up of the tuber of a monocotyledonous plant. (Photo: Internet).

There have been a number of studies worldwide on the chemical composition and biological activity of compounds extracted from the monocotyledonous plant. The results show that the monocotyledonous plant contains terpenoids, flavonoids, amino acids and some volatile oils. These compounds have pharmacological activities against inflammation, antiviral, analgesic, cough, asthma and chronic bronchitis, acute pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc. Currently, the monocotyledonous plant is being studied to treat lung cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer. With its high economic and pharmacological value, the monocotyledonous plant is considered one of the species that should be prioritized in the conservation of rare genetic resources.

According to experts' recommendations, when harvesting, to protect the plant, only the whole plant should be harvested, or just the leaves, leaving the roots for the plant to grow. Leaves can be harvested year-round, used fresh or dried. Harvest and separate large and small leaves, then process.

Rare plant

According to the Capital Security newspaper, the one-leaf tree is a valuable medicinal plant, so it is mainly used for export and is rarely used domestically. For this reason, many people in the area where the one-leaf tree lives rarely have the opportunity to see it. Many people also say that finding a one-leaf tree is as difficult as finding a diêu ​​bông leaf.

However, the monocot plant is often confused with the octagonous plant (Dysosma chengii) because it is also a tuberous plant and has one leaf. However, the leaves of the octagonous plant have six sides, while the monocot plant has a heart shape. Many people even confuse the monocot plant with the leaves of the plantain plant.

Because this plant has precious medicinal value, it is mainly used for export, and very few locals have the opportunity to see it in the country. (Photo: Internet).

In addition to being used as a medicinal herb, the one-leaf plant is also loved and collected by bonsai enthusiasts around the world for its uniqueness and rarity.

According to the Vietnam Science and Technology Journal, the natural reserve of monocarpus in Vietnam is decreasing due to overexploitation. The amount of monocarpus in nature is not much (in Pu Mat National Park, it is 10 - 15 trees/100m2 ⁾ , making this tree species rare and at risk of extinction. Monocarpus is listed as a species that needs to be protected in the "Vietnam Red Book".

Research and conservation of rare plant species

Also according to the Vietnam Science and Technology Journal, researchers are currently propagating this rare plant species in Lang Son . Lang Son is a province with favorable climate, soil and terrain conditions for the growth and development of many rare medicinal gene sources, including the one-leaf plant. The Institute for Regional Research and Development has carried out the task of "Research on conservation and development of one-leaf plant gene sources " in Lang Son province to collect and preserve one-leaf plant gene sources, develop methods for storing, preserving, restoring and propagating gene sources; build models for conservation, exploitation and development of this precious gene source to serve the socio-economic development of the locality.

Researchers are currently conducting breeding to preserve this rare plant species. (Photo: Internet).

Studies on monocotyledon propagation techniques show that the best planting season is March-April every year (survival rate is 96.0-96.7%, germination rate is 87.33-95.3%). The size of the tuber has a great influence on the growth of monocotyledon. Tuber diameters from 1.0 to greater than 2.0 cm all have high germination rates (87.33-97.33%).

Due to overexploitation, the natural reserves of monophylla in Vietnam are increasingly decreasing. Research to propagate this precious plant species has been carried out in our country in recent years.