Introduction of flora and vegetation of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park

The diversity of vegetations and habitats causes flora biodiversity. Preliminary surveys of the botanical diversity of Phong Nha - Ke Bang NP have been less than comprehensive. However, the results indicate a rich and diverse flora at Phong Nha - Ke Bang with the preliminary list of vascular plant standing at 193 families, 906 genera and 2,651 species.

Preliminary list of vascular plants for the Phong Nha - Ke Bang NP

Phong Nha - Ke Bang is located in the middle Central Vietnam that cauces the flora of Phong Nha - Ke Bang is representative of the transition zone of two big floristic regions: the Vietnam northern and southern  regions. This area is the southernmost locality of some tree species of the northern floristic region, such as: Excentrodendron tonkinensis, Platanus kerrii, Dipterocarpus retusus and Burcera tonkinensis, etc. The area is also northernmost of some tree species of the southern floristic region, such as Dipterocarpus kerrii, D. grandiflorus, Dialium cochinchinensis and Pterocarpus macrocarpus, etc.

In particular, an isolated karst area of Phong Nha - Ke Bang NP is centre of the endemism. The site supports 419 plant species that are endemic to Vietnam. In particular, a narrowly endemic genus Oligocera (O. eberhardtii) is confined to the site. In addition a narrowly coniferous species to karst area as Cacelodus rupetris Averyanov. Otherwise 28 orchid species endemic to Vietnam have been found in the Park, such as Bulbophyllum hiepii, Cleisostoma simondii, Cymbidium atropurpureum, Paphiopedilum dianthum, Paphiopedilum malipoensec, Biermannia calcarata, Bulbophyllum insulsum, Bulbophyllum macraei, Bulbophyllum tixieri Seidenf., Chiloschista trudelii, Cleisostoma melanorachis, Epigeneium labuanum, Eria boniana, Eria gagnepainii, Eria globulifera, Eria thao, Liparis averyanoviana, Liparis petraea, Liparis pumila, Malleola seidenfadenii, Micropera poilanei, Panisea albiflora, Phalaenopsis gibbosa, Pteroceras simondianum, Thrixspermum fleuryi, Anoectochilus calcareous, Mischobulbum longiscapum, and Rhomboda petelotii.

Plant geography element

The site conditions are important habitats for high value and threatened plant species. Among recorded plant list 116 threatened species are listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book of Plant (1996) and the IUCN Red List (2006)