A Photo Guide to Plants of Nam Kading National Protected Area in Laos

The authors would like to express their gratitude to the managers and staff of the Nam Kading National Protected Area for granting permission and providing invaluable support for our botanical survey in the area. We are also grateful to Chen-Jui Yang, Houan Vorasane, Kimihiko Hyakumura, Meng Zhang, Norikazu Okabe, Siriphone Lorvanhkham and Sylor Chayer for […]

Five New Records of Cyperaceae for the Flora of Laos

Five species of Cyperaceae, Carex breviscapa, Carex cryptostachys, Cyperus trialatus, Fimbristylis kernii, and Mapania enodis, are recorded for the first time in Laos, the first of which was obtained from our field survey in central Laos and the latter four were confirmed during specimen surveys in the herbaria FOF and KAG. Among them, Mapania is […]

Two new records of Lasianthus (Rubiaceae) for the Flora of Laos

Two species of Lasianthus Jack (Rubiaceae), viz. L. biflorus (Blume) M.Gangop. & Chakrab. and L. hispidulus (Drake) Pit., from Nam Kading National Protected Area in central Laos, are reported as new records for the Flora of Laos. Taxonomic description, habitat, distribution, voucher specimens, and color photographs are provided for each species.

Ilex namkadingensis: a new species of Aquifoliaceae from central Laos

Ilex namkadingensis V.S.Dang, Tagane & Soulad., a new species of Aquifoliaceae from Bolikhamxai, central Laos, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to Ilex rubrinervia Tardieu but differs in having larger leaf blades, longer petioles, and larger and 6- or 7-seeded fruits. Photographs descriptions, conservation status and vernacular name of the new […]

Capparis macrantha sp. nov. (Capparaceae, Brassicales), a new shrub species from a deciduous forest of the Nam Kading National Protected Area (central Lao PDR)

Capparis macrantha Souvannakhoummane, Fici & Lanorsavanh sp. nov., a new shrub species characterized by erect or ascending habit, stipular thorns, large lanceolate-elliptic leaves and large fl owers in supra-axillary rows, is described and illustrated from the deciduous forest in Nam Kading National Protected Area (central Lao PDR). The new species belongs to Capparis sect. Monostichocalyx […]

NAFRI Research Report: Farmers’ access to credit in the Lao PDR

The agricultural sector plays an important role in the development of the Lao PDR. In 2017, the growth rate of GDP was 6.9%. The growth rate of the agricultural sector increased by 2.9% contributing to 17.7% of the country’s GDP. In addition, the agriculture sector contributed to 60.8% of total employment. The financial sector largely […]

New records of ferns in the flora of Laos

Fieldwork in Lao PDR during 2007-2008 resulted in the discovery of 15 unrecorded fern species among the flora of Lao PDR. All have been identified in other countries in southeastern Asia, as well as from other tropical areas. The species are as follows: Asplenicaceae (Asplenium delavayi, A. rockier), Athyriaceae (Anisocampium cuspidatum), Dennstaedtiaceae (Microlepia hookeriana, Pteridium […]

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants of Laos toward the discovery of bioactive compounds as potential candidates for pharmaceutical development

Using semi-structured field interviews with healers in the Lao PDR, plant samples were collected, extracted, and bio-assayed to detect bioactivity against cancer, HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria. Plant species demonstrating activity were recollected and the extracts subjected to a bioassay-guided isolation protocol to isolate and identify the active compounds.