Newly discovered plant introduced

BANGKOK, Aug 9 (TNA) -- The Khon Kaen Botanical Garden introduces a newly discovered and endangered plant called in Thai "Siaw Kammayee" or "Khruea Saksuwan" that has been found only on the Phu Phan range. Khanit Waengwasit, acting chief of the botanical garden, said Prof Pranom Chantaranothai found the plant during his research in the Northeast. The newly discovered plant is a creeper with timber, softly fragrant flowers, leaves like those of orchid trees, and hairy pods. The professor found only one group of 8-9 plants of this species on the mountain range in 1999 and spent 14 years discussing the discovery with Prof Kai Larsen, the founder of the Flora of Thailand project, and his wife Supee Saksuwan Larsen. During the period, the discovery was published in relevant international magazines. In April this year, the discovery was certified and its scientific name is Phanera larseniana to honour Prof Larsen and his wife. It is being reproduced at the botanical garden. (TNA)