Researchers Discover New Plant Species in Phu Kradueng National Park

Pictures courtesy of Bangkok Post

In an exciting development for botany, researchers from Chulalongkorn University have discovered three potentially new plant species during a comprehensive survey at Phu Kradueng National Park in Thailand's northeastern province of Loei. Supported by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), the research primarily focused on spore-bearing plants such as ferns, collecting 288 pteridophyte specimens along the park's trails.

The survey yielded three species—Selaginella sp., Asplenium sp., and Oleandra sp.—that have been identified as likely new to science. These species may soon be recorded in global botanical databases, underscoring the area's contribution to biodiversity.

Additionally, the team documented three fern species in Loei for the first time: Cunningham’s lady-fern (Athyrium cumingianum), medicinal spikemoss (Selaginella involvens), and Tectaria simonsii, a distinctive halberd fern not yet assigned a common name.

Notably, the researchers also identified three species endemic to the region: Siam spleenwort (Asplenium siamense), streamwood fern (Dryopteris rheophila), and Dumrong’s stag’s tongue fern (Elaphoglossum dumrongii).

These discoveries highlight Phu Kradueng National Park's rich biodiversity and significant conservation value. The park, recognized as an ASEAN Heritage Park, features unique sandstone peaks that create an optimal environment for the proliferation of ferns and similar plants. Prapaporn Jadprajong, a member of the research team, emphasized the park's status as one of Thailand’s premier locations for the natural propagation of these delicate plants, which thrive in the cool and moist conditions typical of the park's ecosystem.

Phu Kradueng's ecological richness and the potential introduction of new species to the scientific community underscore the importance of ongoing conservation efforts and further research to ensure the protection and preservation of this valuable natural habitat.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-23