On March 10th, the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park Management Board (Quang Tri province) announced the discovery of the Himalayan ground ivy (Sapria Himalayana) in Sub-area 649, a strictly protected zone managed by the Con Roang Forest Protection Station.
The Himalayan ground ivy is a completely parasitic plant belonging to the family Rafflesiaceae – a group of plants known for their large flower structure and distinctive morphology. The discovery of this species not only adds scientific data to the region's flora but also demonstrates that the forest ecosystem on the limestone mountains of Phong Nha - Ke Bang remains relatively intact.
According to researchers, Sapria Himalayana is a completely parasitic plant, lacking chlorophyll, leaves, or true stems for photosynthesis. The vegetative parts of the plant are almost entirely reduced, existing as structures that attach deeply to the roots of host plants to absorb water and nutrients. In Sub-area 649, individuals of this plant were recorded parasitizing the roots of woody vines belonging to the genus Tetrastigma (Grape family). The flower is the only part of the plant that appears above ground to perform reproductive functions. Specimens recorded have a diameter of approximately 15–20 cm, with a dark red calyx and pale yellow spots on the surface. Notably, the flower emits a smell similar to decaying flesh to attract insects for pollination, mainly flies of the order Diptera.
Experts say that the Himalayan ground ivy has a narrow ecological range and is particularly sensitive to changes in soil conditions, humidity, and forest canopy structure. This species only appears under dense evergreen rainforests, where there is a thick layer of litter, high coverage, and virtually no human impact.
In the Vietnamese Red Book and the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, Sapria Himalayana is classified as endangered due to its narrow distribution range and complete dependence on host trees. The presence of the species in Sub-area 649 is considered an indicator that the forest habitat in this area still maintains a stable microclimate and ecological continuity.
According to the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park Management Board, the new discovery also brings the total number of plant species recorded in the National Park to 2,957, further confirming its status as one of the important biodiversity hotspots of Vietnam and the region.