“The Old Ochna” – specious genetic resource in the risk of extinction

Around Yen Tu mountains of Uong Bi town – Quang Ninh province, there is an abundant flora system, of which Yen Tu ochna is one of valuable flower – ornamental species. According to recent research results by the Fruit and Vegetable Research Institute species, Yen Tu ochna and Southern ochna both belonging to Ochna integerrima L. Merr. However, Yen Tu ochna that exists in climatic condition with low temperature in winter makes differences in morphology and scent. It is the typical beauty of Yen Tu ochna.

The forest of “the old ochna” is distributed around Yen Tu mountains of Quang Ninh province. According to the initial assessment, this forest is about 800 years old that is coincided with the event of abdicating in favour of teh King Tran Nhan Tong’s son to lead a religious life in Yen Tu (1285-1288). Hence, it is possible that the forest of Yen Tu ochna was planted by the King Tran Nhan Tong at his benining religious life. Then, Yen Tu ochna is not only beautiful for its self but also, for its significance in history and humanism.

The recent studies by the Fruit and Vegetable Research Institute showed that Yen Tu ochna and Southern ochna belonged to the same species Ochna integerrima L. Merr. However, Yen Tu ochna that exists in climatic condition with low temperature in winter makes differences in morphology and scent. It is the typical beauty of Yen Tu ochna.

The forest of “the old ochna” is distributed in various points around Yen Tu mointain. In each place, the quantity of Yen Tu ochna ranges from tens to hundreds of plants with the age at twenties to some hundreds. However, for the immediate sake, exploring spontaneously and thoroughly by local people has led to remarkable decrease of the Yen Tu ochna quantity, especially the older ones (>10m high) as their higher value. The lack of cultural practices has made lots of dead trees. The forest of “the old ochna” will be extinct soon if the situation still lasts.

Yen Tu ochna, which is called Northern ochna, is a specious genetic resource to be conserved. In addition, there is a need to develop Yen Tu ochna to be a specific cash product of Yen Tu mountains so that genetic resource of Yen Tu ochna will not only become a product to meet human demand but also conserve the forest of Yen Tu ochna. If we don’t have the right soluations, specious genetic resource of Yen Tu ochna will be in risk of extinction!

As Dr. Đang Van Đong –Department of Flower and Ornamental Trees - FAVRI