Thailand’s Botanical Marvels: New Plant Discoveries in Phu Kradueng and Surat Thani Revealed

In a lush corner of Thailand, where the horizon is framed by the towering sandstone peaks of Phu Kradueng National Park, a botanical symphony unfolds beneath the canopy—the whispers of leaves punctuated by the joyous chants of discovery. Researchers from the esteemed Chulalongkorn University, instruments in hand and curiosity alight, recently embarked on an expedition into this botanical wonderland. Their mission was as delicate as the ferns they sought: to catalog the park’s pteridophytes, those ancient spore-bearing plants that persist in painting the landscape with shades of emerald and jade. The expedition, with backing from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), went way beyond the expected. As they meandered along Phu Kradueng’s trails, they gathered 288 samples, among which three species—Selaginella sp., Asplenium sp., and Oleandra sp.—emerged like shy stars stepping out for their debut on the global botanical stage.

This triumphant uncovering didn’t end there. Much to the delight of fern enthusiasts, three species made their debut appearance in Loei: the elegant Cunningham’s lady-fern, the medicinal wonder Selaginella involvens, and Tectaria simonsii, a halberd fern still waiting for its common nomenclature. It’s as if Mother Nature herself had decided to flaunt her creativity, painting an ever-expanding canvas of life—each discovery a petal of mystery in the grand floral bouquet of biodiversity.

Amidst these revelations, the team also welcomed three endemic species into the spotlight: Siam spleenwort, streamwood fern, and the charmingly named Dumrong’s stag’s tongue fern. Each is a verdant testament to Phu Kradueng’s intricate ecological tapestry, a tapestry woven with threads of sandstone and mist, echoing with the song of history and the whisper of the wild. This park, an ASEAN Heritage Park of profound conservation significance, is exquisitely situated—its cool, moist air serving as both a cradle and sanctuary for such delicate life forms. According to Prapaporn Jadprajong, a beacon of enthusiasm from the research team, the distinctive sandstone peaks here fashion an ideal habitat for ferns and their kin, a botanical paradise where thriving seems effortless yet so precarious—a sweet spot of just enough and quite not enough.

In an echo of botanical brilliance several miles away, excitement simmers in South Thailand, where the wetlands of Surat Thani province cradle their own floral gem. Deep within this watery world, researchers have unveiled another marvel—a rare new tree species, fondly christened “Tharathum.” The name—melding Thai words for water (Thara) and tree (Thum)—reflects its aqueous roots near the flood-prone embrace of the Tapi River. This botanical coup, orchestrated by Dr. Chatthida Wiya, a dedicated plant taxonomist with the Botanical Garden Organisation, showcases the magic that is Surat Thani, where trees, water, and wonder are inseparable companions.

Yet, as with many fledgling discoveries, the Tharathum faces a daunting struggle for survival amidst its natural habitat—a poignant reminder of nature’s fragility. Renowned institutes such as Chiang Mai University and Kasetsart University, in concert with the DNP and the Department of Agricultural Extension, are locking arms to craft strategies ensuring this latest find doesn’t fade into the annals of what could have been.

This confluence of discoveries celebrates not just the thrill of the chase, but the silent stories hidden within Thailand’s green realms. It’s a narrative that stretches beyond borders and time, reminding all who listen that even in the throes of progress, the world’s most delicate wonders rest quietly, waiting for their moment in the sun. For in each newly identified sprig lies a spark—capable of igniting flames of inspiration and admiration—a testament to the ever-unfolding, ever-renewing miracle that is nature.