MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF FORESTRY

STUDENT THESIS
CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
IN PU HU NATURE RESERVE, THANH HOA PROVINCE.

Major: Natural Resources Management
Code: D850101
Faculty: Forest Resource and Environmental Management

Student: Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong

Student ID: 1453091257

Class: K59A - Natural Resources Management

Course: 2014 – 2018

Advance Education Program
Developed in collaboration with Colorado State University, USA
Supervisor: Professor Dr. Hoang Van Sam

Hanoi, 2018


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
To complete this research, apart from my own efforts, I have received a lot of enhance
and help from my teachers, organizations and individuals.
First and foremost, I would like to thank my research supervisors, Dr. Hoang Van Sam
with his support and understanding. Without his assistance and dedicated involvement in

every step throughout the process, this research would have never been accomplished.
I sincerely thank to Vietnam National University of Forestry has given me an
opportunity to apply the knowledge I learned from the school. I have got new and useful
experience that is helpful for my future work.
I would like to extend my thanks to the Board of Pu Hu Management especially Mr.
Le Duy Cuong - the vice director of Pu Hu Nature Reserve, Quan Hoa district, Thanh Hoa
Province for his useful, providing helpful data and constructive recommendations on this
research. I am also grateful to the stuffs of Pu Hu Reserve Manager: Le Phong, Hoang Van
Phu for taking good care of mine and supporting me with the enthusiastic guidance to
collected data when I stayed in the ranger station.
Last but not least, I would like to thank my family for supporting me spiritually
throughout my life.

i


ABSTRACT
Over three-quarters of the world population relies mainly on plants and plant extracts
for health care. More than 30% of the entire plant species, at one time or others were used for
medicinal purposes. Population rise, inadequate supply of drugs, prohibitive cost of
treatments, side effects of several allopathic drugs and development of resistance to currently
used drugs for infectious diseases have led to increased emphasis on the use of plant materials
as a source of medicines for a wide variety of human ailments.
Vietnam is a country with 75% mountainous area where ethic groups distributed. This
areas have many difficult conditions to develop the community also economic of community
especially transportation. The goods from urban areas are transported by a difficult way
including clothes, medicine…ect. Therefore, they have to have their own traditional culture
and experiences in the makeup and use medical plants. It led to the illegal harvesting
medicinal plants in the nature forest and effect to the growth and regeneration of medicinal
plants in nature forest.

This study aims at conservation and development of medicinal plants in Pu Hu Nature
Reserve. Collecting existed data, survey questionnaires were the methods used in data
collection. The study showed the current status of medicinal plants in Pu Hu Nature Reserve
includes: ingredient, habit, part-using, therapeutic, degree of threaten and status of harvesting
and planting. The study also provided information of ecological and distribution of Morinda
officinalis How as well as the factors impact on this species and made a documentation of
local people knowledge and development of medicinal plants in Pu Hu Nature Reserve. Last,
it gave solution for conservation and development of medicinal plants in Pu Hu Nature
Reserve.

ii


TABLE OF CONTENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................................... i
ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................... ii
TABLE OF CONTENT ............................................................................................................ iii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................... v
LIST OF TABLE ....................................................................................................................... vi
LIST OF FIGURE .................................................................................................................... vii
I. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................... 1
II. GOAL, SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY ............................................... 2
2.1 Goal .................................................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Objectives ............................................................................................................................. 2
2.3 Methods ................................................................................................................................ 2
2.3.1 Secondary data collection .................................................................................................. 2
2.3.2 Collect primary data .......................................................................................................... 2
2.3.3 Data analysis ...................................................................................................................... 5
2.3.4. Assess the level of threat .................................................................................................. 5

III. STUDY SITE CHARACTERISTICS .................................................................................. 6
3.1 Natural conditions. ............................................................................................................... 6
3.2. Social and economic conditions. ......................................................................................... 7
3.3. Basic characteristics of forest resources. ............................................................................. 7
3.3.1 Current status of land types, forest types of Pu Hu NR ..................................................... 7
3.3.2 Typical types of forest vegetation. .................................................................................... 8
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ........................................................................................ 10
4.1 Current status of medicinal plants in Pu Hu Nature Reserve ............................................. 10
4.1.1 Diversity of Taxon ........................................................................................................... 10
4.1.2 Usage of plant parts for medicine .................................................................................... 10
4.1.3 Habits of medicinal plants ............................................................................................... 11
4.1.4 Disease treated with medicinal plants ............................................................................. 11
4.1.5 Decree of threaten of medicinal plants in Pu Hu NR ...................................................... 12
4.1.6 Status of havesting, planting............................................................................................ 14
4.2 Status of Morinda officinalis How in Pu Hu NR ............................................................... 15
4.2.1 Distribution of Morinda officinalis How in Pu Hu NR ................................................... 15
4.2.2 Distribution characteristics of Morinda officinalis How in Pu Hu NR ........................... 16
4.2.3 Growth situation of Morinda officinalis How in Pu Hu NR ........................................... 18
iii


4.2.4 Factors impact on the growth of Morinda officinalis How in Pu Hu NR ....................... 19
4.2.5 Trading situation of Morinda officinalis How in Pu Hu NR ........................................... 19
4.3 Local people’s knowledge and development of medicinal plants in Pu Hu NR ................ 20
4.4 Solution proposals for conservation and development of medicinal plants in Pu Hu NR. 21
V. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................... 22
REFERENCES
APPENDIX

iv



LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
NR

Nature Reserve

IUCN

International Union for Conservation of Nature

VU

Vulnerable

LR

Lower risk

LC

Least concern

EN

Endangered

DD

Data deficient


NTFPs

Non-timber forest products

v


LIST OF TABLE
Table 2.1

Coordinate of start, end point of each trasect line

Table 3.1

Classification of vegetation

Table 4.1

Medicinal plants found in Pu Hu Nature Reserve

Table 4.2

Group of diseases treated with medicinal plants by local people

Table 4.3

Endangered species of medicinal plant found in Pu Hu NR

Table 4.4


Forest status where Morinda officinalis How grow

Table 4.5

Stand information in each plot

Table 4.6

Factors impact on the growth of Morinda officinalis How in each plot

vi


LIST OF FIGURE
Figure 2.1 Distribution map of transect line investigation in Pu Hu NR
Figure 2.2 Distribution map of transect line and plot investigation in Pu Hu NR
Figure 3.1 Map of Pu Hu NR
Figure 4.1 Usage of plant parts for medicine in Pu Hu NR
Figure 4.2 Habit of medicinal plants in Pu Hu NR
Figure 4.3 Harvesting’s frequency of local people
Figure 4.4 Situation of planting medicinal plants
Figure 4.5 The distribution map of Morinda officinalis How in Pu Hu NR
Figure 4.6 Average height of stem of Morinda officinalis How in each plot
Figure 4.7 Average height of stump of Morinda officinalis How in each plot
Figure 4.8

Local people’s knowledge about effect of harvesting method on medicinal plants

Figure 4.9 Factors impact on the growth of medicinal plant


vii


I. INTRODUCTION
The medicinal source of Vietnam is abundant and diversified include plants, animals
and minerals. In which, plant still play an important role in this component, in terms of kinds
as well as use values.
Located in the belt of tropical monsoon, Vietnam has high biodiversity and is ranked as
one of the top 25 highest biodiversity countries in the world. Vietnam has approximate 11,000
species of vascular plants, 800 species of fungi and more than 2,000 species of algae.
According to the figure of Vo Van Chi, which was published in the book “Dictionary of
medicinal plants in Vietnam”, nearly 4,700 species are listed as medicinal plants. However,
Vietnam is also one of countries with high rate of deforestation in the world (MC Kinnon &
Cox, 1991). Current stock of primeval forests was remaining about 1% of the total land area.
Then forest resources will be destroyed including many medicinal plants. This can be
considered as a challenge and mission to conserve the source of pharmaceutical material,
which needed to invest in research in the current time and future.
Moreover, Vietnam has 54 ethnic groups live together. From time immemorial, people
have known to use medicine from plants to treat health problems for human and animals.
Throughout our history, the capital of community medicine were accumulated, took shape and
developed to become national background of traditional medicine with all databases were
saved and transmitted orally to the next generation. Besides, the local knowledge and
experiences of each ethnic group are different and they have their own traditional culture and
experiences in the makeup and use medical plants. On the other hand, the old generation
gradually passed away and the young generation demonstrated little interest in learning how
to make up medicine from medicinal plants and how to use it and the development of modern
medicine. All reasons lead to the traditional treatment is being lost day by day.
Pu Hu Nature Reserve belongs to the Muong Lat and Quan Hoa districts and in the
Northwet of Thanh Hoa province. The area of special use forest in Pu Hu nature reserve is

approximate 22.680,59 ha. The whole area of the forest is a hilly area in the west, surrounded
by two major river systems, the Ma River and the Luong River and it is mainly formed by two
ecosystems: highland mountain ecosystems and limestone karst ecosystems. In this area, there
are many valuable medicinal herbs including Morinda officinalis. This species are very
interested in producing medicinal plants and growing in many parts of Vietnam. However,
local planting, exploitation and trading products of this species are directly affecting the
expansion or narrowing of their distribution. Being aware of providing necessary scientific
information for the management, conservation and development of this species in the locality,
contributing to the improvement of income and living standard for local people, I decided to
conduct a thesis titled: “Conservation and development of medicinal plants in Pu Hu
Nature Reserve, Thanh Hoa province”.
1


II. GOAL, SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY
2.1 Goal
The Goal is to evaluate current status and propose solutions for conservation and
development of medicinal plants in Pu Hu Nature Reserve.
2.2 Objectives
- To assess the current status of medicinal plants in Pu Hu NR, Thanh Hoa province.
- To assess the current status of Morinda officinalis How in Pu Hu NR.
- To assess local knowledge and development of medicinal plants in Pu Hu NR.
- To provide solutions for conservation and development of medicinal plants in Pu Hu NR.
2.3 Methods
2.3.1 Secondary data collection
Using method to collect existing data about Pu Hu NR geographic condition, current
status of fauna and flora biodiversity, forest areas; Economic and social condition of
surrounded communes.
2.3.2 Collect primary data
2.3.2.1 Structure interview

A random sample of 100 households in 2 surrounded communes (Nam Tien commune
belongs to Quan Hoa district and Trung Ly commune belongs to Muong Lat district) is
selected in a survey. Questionnaires are prepared before going to the field to get information
about: General information of interviewees (age, gender, education level, main income, etc.);
their knowledge about distribution of medicinal plants and factors effect the medicinal plants
in local area.
2.3.2.2 Semi-structure interview
Interview 5 staffs who work in Management board of Pu Hu NR by using checklist to get
information and data on the issues: Current population, living standard of local communes; Local
awareness about forest resources management especially medicinal plants and the role and level of
local community participation in forest resources management in Pu Hu NR.
2.3.2.3 Establish transects
Establishing transectline in the field and on the map, especially make sure that the area
which transectline was established can represent the forest type and habitat of whole area.
There are 6 transect lines were set up:

2


Table 2.1: Coordinate of start, end point of each trasect line
Start point

End point

Name of transect line
X

Y

X


Y

Nam Tien Commune

492300

2259203

489623

2261362

Hien Chung Commune

486611

2262877

486632

2265639

Trung Ly Commune

482072

2269925

484039


2269043

Trung Thanh Commune

491700

2271304

488723

2267852

Hien Kiet Commune

476198

2262552

478314

2263137

Phu Son Commune

495384

2266147

490987


2265084

During the survey, the route location was recorded using GPS to establish a map of
transect lines.

Figure 2.1: Distribution map of transect line investigation in Pu Hu NR
In each transect line, observe the appearance of Morinda officinalis How and use
binocular to increase the viewing range. Information of appearance species were recorded by
equipment such as camera, GPS. The information collected is recorded in the form:
3


Form 1: Transect line investigation of Morinda officinalis How
Number of transect:
Start point:

Location:
End point:

Date of investigation:
No

Investigator:

Coordinate of appearance place
X

Forest type


Y

During the survey, observe the dominant layer, shrubs and vegetation.
2.2.4. Establish plot
In each transect line, the sites with forest status and typical terrain characteristics for
the area where distribute Morinda officinalis How are choosed to set up plots. In 2 transect
lines located in Hien Kien Commune and Phu Son Commune, we didn’t find Morinda
officinalis How occur. Therefore, eight rectangular plots with an area of 500m2 (25m x 20m)
are set up in 4 other transect lines. The location of these plots is where Morinda officinalis
How has a concentrated distribution with no habitat fragmentation. The length of the plot is
set along the contour, the other side is perpendicular to the contour, using the area to
determine the orientation of the plot.

Figure 2.2: Distribution map of transect line and plot investigation in Pu Hu NR
* Monitoring the growth of Morinda officinalis How: In the plot, surveying is followed the
form below:
4


Form 2: Plot investigation of the growth of Morinda officinalis How
Plot:

Coordination:

Forest type:

Area of plot:

Slope:


Slope direction:

Canopy cover:

Vegetation covers:

No.species

Hstem (cm)

Date:
Dstump (cm)

Pestilent insect
situation

* Evaluating the impact of other factors on Morinda officinalis How: Incorporation of
human and natural impacts on the growth and development of Morinda officinalis How,
capture of impacts on the survey line where Morinda officinalis How is caught and impacts in
the plot.
2.3.3 Data analysis
- Applying descriptive statistic and using Excel to analyze the collected quantitative
data, then, draw charts, graphs.
- Classification of medicinal plants under the parts, utility, value and shape of live.
2.3.4. Assess the level of threat
Level of threat is assessed based on the document issued for the endangered plants to
assess the degree of threatened useful plant species including Vietnam Red list; Decree
No.32/2016/ND-CP on management of forest flora and fauna endangered, rare and precious.
It also based on the situation of exploitation, use and trafficking in local area to point out the
danger of species threatened in study site.


5


III. STUDY SITE CHARACTERISTICS
3.1 Natural conditions.


Geographical locations.

Figure 3.1: Map and picture of Pu Hu NR
Pu Hu NR is located in the northwest of Thanh Hoa Province and belongs to Quan
Hoa district (10 villages) and Muong Lat district (01 commune). It is about 140 kilometers far
from Thanh Hoa City.
- Geographical coordinates:
+ From 20°30’ N to 20°40’ N.
+ From 104°40’ E to 105°05' E.


Topographic characteristics.
Pu Hu NR is located on a mountain range in the west of the limestone belt running

south-west from Pu Luong NR to Cuc Phuong National Park. The highest peak is Pu Hu
(1,468 m) in the southwest of the nature reserve. In the Northwest, there are some peaks such
as Pe Tuong Peak (1,424 m). The height of eastern and southern terrain of these ranges
descend along to steep slopes Ma River’s side and Luong River’s side.
Due to the difficult terrain, the area is severely fragmented at the average elevation of
800 - 1,000 m and the average slope of 25-30°. The terrain of this area is divided into 2
regions: High mountainous areas are distributed in Hien Chung, Phu Son, Trung Thanh
communes; low mountains, high hills are located in Phu Thanh, Nam Tien, Thanh Xuan

communes.
6




Soil Characteristics
In general, the soil in Pu Hu NR is not special, rocks are poor in nutrients, only few of

the common types are found in mountainous areas such as granite, clayey, claystone and
sandstone. The types of soil formed in this area are usually on high sloping terrains of 16-25°
and 26-35°. In the past, the forest cover was quite good so the depth of soil usually at medium
level (30-80 cm).


Climate
Pu Hu Nature Reserve is characterized by tropical and monsoon climate of

Northwestern Vietnam.The average temperature is 23,1°C and fluctuating from 20°C to 25°C
with two distinct seasons: rainy season from June to October and dry season from November
to May of next year. Average annual humidity is 86%. The average annual rainfall is
relatively low, varies from 1,400 mm to 1,600 mm.
There are two main types of wind in this area: the southeast monsoon and the
northeast monsoon. In April and May every year also appear 2 to 3 winds of Laos which are
hot and dry, easy to cause forest fires.
Pu Hu Nature Reserve borders with the North West, so the typhoon mainly affects this
area through heavy rains, which can cause rainfall of 1,000 mm/time cause flood.
3.2. Social and economic conditions.
Socio-economic development in the buffer zone of Pu Hu NR is in the area of 02
districts of Quan Hoa and Muong Lat which are undergoing new development. The economic

structure is shifting and orienting economic sectors, especially forestry and service are
growing. Material life and spiritual life is raised. Infrastructure has been invested and brought
into use. The land use potential is high and is being exploited. Basically ethnic minorities
have settled down sedentary, promoting the potential of each region for economic
development.
The ethnic diversity of the people living in the NR is an advantage in promoting
knowledge in conservation, which is one of the intangible values that should be conserved.
The social security situation in the NR area is ensured and the politics maintained,
creating a good premise for the management, protection and development of forest resources
of Pu Hu Nature Reserve.
3.3. Basic characteristics of forest resources.
3.3.1 Current status of land types, forest types of Pu Hu NR
Pu Hu NR has a total forest land area of 22,680.59 ha, covering 39 sub-zones
distributed over 11 communes. Including:
7


- The forest land area is 21,500.26 ha, the forest cover is 94,7%, mainly natural forest.
- The area of un-forested land is 1,180.33 ha (accounting for 6.6%).
- Area of 7.78 ha, including the area of the office in Ban Kham and the Forest
Protection Station in Trung Ly, Phu Son, Trung Thanh and Nam Tien Communes.
In Pu Hu Nature Reserve, there are two typical ecosystems that are highland mountain
ecosystems and limestone ecosystems. The limestone ecosystem occupies 0.97% of the total
forest land allocated to the management. The high mountainous ecosystem is located in the
other sub-zones.
The total reserve of forest types is 1,452,094 m3; Bamboo: 160,133 trees, of which;
rich forest: 65,124 m3, average 180 m3/ha; Average forest area is 627,509 m3, average 130
m3/ha; Poor forest is 464,056 m3, average 70 m3/ha; Recovery forest 65m3/ha; Mixed forest:
295,045 m3; bamboo: 160,113 trees: 50-60m3/ha, Neohouzeaua: 3,000 trees/ha. In general, the
forest ecosystems in this area are quite good, with the proportion of rich and medium forests

accounting for 22.5% of the NR.
3.3.2 Typical types of forest vegetation.
According to the ecological view of populations and vegetation classification system of
Vietnam by Dr. Thai Van Trung (1978), forest vegetation in Pu Hu Nature Reserve is divided into
the main forest types as follows:
Table 3.1: Classification of vegetation
Vegetation type

Area (ha)

Total

22,680.59

I. Tropical vegetation (<700)

14,015.09

1.1. Evergreen forest in tropical humid rain

8585.34

1.2. Trees covered with broadleaf

4917,14

1.3. Savan herbal after burnt-over land and forest fire

512.61


II. Sub-tropical vegetation (> 700)

8.665.5

2.1. The evergreen broad-leaved forest with subtropical broadleaf

7349.56

trees
2.2. Mixed-leaf forest

648.22

2.3. Savan of herbal after burnt-over land

667.72

(Source: Viện ĐTQH rừng 1998 và điều tra, bổ sung năm 2012 của Phân viện ĐTQHRTBB)

8




Flora
Through surveys on plant species of Pu Hu Nature Reserve, Thanh Hoa province, 894

species, 575 genera and 143 families of 6 vascular plant species have been identified. Most
species are concentrated in Magnoliophyta with 117 families (81.81%); 527 genera
(accounting for 91.65%); 779 species (87.14%), Polypodiophyta with 21 species (14.69%), 42

genera (accounting for 7.30% and 105 species (11.75%). In 894 plant species in Pu Hu, 355
species have one function (39.71%), 205 species have two (22.93%). A number of
representative species were found such as Litsea cubeba, Antiaris toxicaria. Particularly, the
number of species has more than two uses up to 86 species (representing 9.62%) with
representatives such as: Sterculia lanceolata, Trema orientaris, Dioscorea cirhosa, Madhuca
pasquieri, ect… for medicinal purposes, for wood, for food or for dyeing, etc… The value of
the species indicates that higher plant species in the protected area are rich and varied in
value.
In addition, Pu Hu Flora has a total of 24 species recorded in the Vietnam Red Book
(2007), accounting for 2.7% of total species and accounting for 5.7% of the total species, rare
in the Red Book of Vietnam.
+ In 6 rare and endangered species, 3 species are precious medicinal plants such as:
Drynaria fortunei, Acanthopanx trifoliatus, Anoectochinus calcareus.
+ 18 rare and endangered species (VU) such as Markhmia stipulata, Protium
serratum, Strychnos umbellata...


Fauna.
According to a study by Do Tuoc and Le Trong Trai in 1998, there were 8 sets, 20

families and 62 species of animals identified. Classes of birds are 13 sets, 41 families, 162
species; Amphibians have 01 set, 04 families, 14 species and reptiles have 02 sets, 14 families
and 28 species.
In that study, 47 species of rare species are listed in the Vietnam Red Book and 20
species listed in the IUCN Red List 2009; 29 species listed in Appendix IB, IIB Decree 32ND
/ 2006 of the Government.

9



IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Current status of medicinal plants in Pu Hu Nature Reserve
4.1.1 Diversity of Taxon
There are 362 species, 113 families, 56 classes and 8 orders which belong to 6
phylum: Psilotophyta, Lycopodiophyta, Equisetophyta, Polypodiophyta, Magnoliophyta have
been found in Pu Hu NR (Table 4.1).
Table 4.1: Medicinal plants found in Pu Hu Nature Reserve
Phylum

Class
Quantity (%)

Order
Quantity (%)

Family
Quantity (%)

Species
Quantity (%)

PSILOTOPHYTA

1

12.5

1

2


1

0.9

1

0.3

LYCOPODIOPHYTA

1

12.5

1

2

1

0.9

2

0.6

EQUISETOPHYTA

1


12.5

1

2

1

0.9

1

0.3

POLYPODIOPHYTA

2

25

6

11

13

11.5

20


5.5

PINOPHYTA

1

12.5

1

2

3

2.7

3

0.8

MAGNOLIOPHYTA

2

25

46

82


94

83.2

335

92.5

Total

8

100

56

100

113

100

362

100

Table 4.1 shows that Magnoliophyta was the dominant phylum with large numbers of species
(335), families (94), Order (46) as well as classes (2). The number of classes of
Polypodiophyta phylum equaled to that of Magnoliophyta phylum, but the number of species

of Polypodiophyta phylum was much lower than the Magnoliophyta’s. It shows that
Magnoliophyta plays an important role in medicinal and tropical flora.
4.1.2 Usage of plant parts for medicine
After studying the parts of plants which were used as medicinal materials in Pu Hu
NR, a statistic has been made as shown in Figure 4.1:

PART OF PLANT USED AS
MEDICINE
Leaf

Stem

Flower

Fruit

Root

Bark

Branch

Tuber

Seed

Whole plant

200
150


154

140

88

100
50

70
35

49

38

21

14

0
Species quantity

10

7


Figure 4.1: Usage of plant parts for medicine in Pu Hu NR

The figure 4.1 shows information about amount of plant parts used for medicine.The
amount of leaves and roots used as medicinal materials was much higher than other parts. In
contrast, branches and tubers were lesser used.
According to the chart, the root is the dominant used part (154 species). There were
140 species which have leaves used as medicinal material. Barks and whole plant followed
with medium amount of use with 70 and 88 species respectively. The amount using of fruit,
seed, and stem was lower with 49 species, 38 species and 35 species respectively. Slightly
lower was the amount using of flower (21 species) and branch (14 species). The least one
was tuber part with only 7 species have this part used as medicinal material. Beside, a plant
can has several of its parts used as medicinal materials.
4.1.3 Habits of medicinal plants
The medicinal plants in Pu Hu NR are mainly belong 4 habits include herb, shrub,
vine and tree.

Habit of medicenal plants

27%

36%

Herb
Shrub

13%

24%

Vine
Tree


Figure 4.2: Habits of medicinal plants in Pu Hu NR
The bar chart shows the proportion of habits of medicinal plants in Pu Hu NR. The
proportion of each habit is not much different. The highest percentage is tree habit with 36%.
Stand in the second is herb habit with 27%. With 24% the shrub habit followed in the third
and the last one is vine habit (13%).
4.1.4 Disease treated with medicinal plants
The traditional medicine has proved that a plant can be used to treat several diseases
and a disease is only completely treated when using many species of plants. Following Vo
Van Chi (2012), Do Tat Loi (2011), the usage of medicinal plants of Pu Hu NR is devided
based on groups of diseases as below:
11


Table 4.2: Group of diseases treated with medicinal plants by local people
No

Disease group

Quantity

1

Poisoning

106

2

Diseases caused by weather


92

3

Cutaneous diseases

68

4

Woman diseases

44

5

Other

43

6

Respiratory diseases

40

7

Urinary diseases


36

8

Animal bite

32

9

Digestive diseases

24

10

Good for health

20

11

Dental diseases

20

12

Man diseases


15

13

Renal diseases

10

14

Gastric diseases

7

15

Eyes diseases

7

16

Nerve diseases

6

Table 4.2 indicates that the number diseases were treated by medicinal plants are
abundant. Species to treat diseases about causes by poisoning is mainly, and then diseases
because of weather and cutaneous diseases.
4.1.5 Decree of threaten of medicinal plants in Pu Hu NR

According to the Vietnam Red List 2007, IUCN 2013 and Decree 32/2016 on
management of forest flora and fauna endangered, rare and precious, 26 medicinal plant
species which need priority for conservation were determined in mountainous areas of Pu Hu
NR (Table 4.3)

12


Table 4.3: Endangered species of medicinal plant found in Pu Hu NR
Endangered level
No

Scientific name

Vietnamese
name

1

Drynaria bonii H. Christ

Cốt toái bổ bon

VU
Axa,c,d

2

Drynaria fortunei (Kuntze ex Mett.)
J. Sm.


Cốt tối bổ

EN Ax,c,d

3

Podocarpus neriifolius D.Don.

Thơng tre lá
dài

LR

4

Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.)
Hook. f.

Sa mu

LR

5

Paramichelia baillonii (Pierre) S. Y.
Hu

Giổi xƣơng


6

Desmos cochinchinensis Lour.

Dây hoa dợ

7

Knema globularia (Lamk.) Warb.

Máu chó cầu

LR

8

Cinnamomum parthenoxylon (Jack)
Meissn.

Vù hƣơng

DD

9

Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.)
Colebr.

Vàng đắng


10

Dendrocnide urientissima (Gagnep.)
Chew

Han voi

EN
Bx+2c

11

Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. ex
Roem.

Rau rệu

LC

12

Fallopia multiflora (Thunb.)
Hardison

Hà thủ ô đỏ

13

Hydnocarpus annamensis (Gagnep.)
Lesch. et Sleumer


Lọ nồi trung
bộ

VU
Axcd

14

Madhuca pasquieri H.J. Lam

Sến mật

VU
Axcd

IUCN
2013

Decree
32

VU
Axa,c,d
IIA

CR
Axa,c,d

IIA


VU
Axa,c,d

IIA

VU
Axa,c,d

EN Axa,c,
VU
Axa,c,d+2
d

15

Embelia parviflora Wall. ex A. DC.

Thiên lý hƣơng

16

Aquilaria crassna Pierre ex Lecomte

CR Axcd

CR
Axcd

17


Caesalpinia sappan L.

Vang

LR

18

Aglaia odorata Lour.

Ngâu

LR

19

Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L.) Merr.

Ngũ gia bì gai
13

Vietnam
Red list
2007

EN Axc,d,
Bx+2b,c,e

EN

Axa,c,d+2


c,d

20

Melientha suavis Pierre

Rau sắng

VU Bx+2e

21

Strychnos umbellata (Lour.) Merr.

Mã tiền hoa
tán

VU Axa,c

22

Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br.

Sữa

23


Rauvolfia verticillata (Lour.) Baill.

Ba gạc vòng

VU Axa,c

24

Morinda officinalis How

Ba kích

EN Axc,d,
Bx+2a,b,c

25

Cyperus rotundus L.

Cỏ gấu

LC

26

Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott.

Khoai môn

LC


LR

Following the IUCN 2013, Pu Hu NR has 4 species belong to the threatened region
including 1 critical endangered species, 1 endangered species and 2 vulnerable species. There
are 9 species belong to lower risk region and 1 data deficient species. On the other hand, there
are 14 species belong to the threatened region including 1 critical endangered species, 5
endangered species and 8 vulnerable species according to the Vietnam Red list 2007.
Following the Decree 32/ 2006 of Vietnamese government, Pu Hu NR has 3 species belong to
group IIA which restricting the exploitation and use for commercial purposes, including forest
plant species of high scientific and environmental value or of high economic value, with a
small number of wild populations or are at risk of extinction.
4.1.6 Status of havesting, planting


Harvesting
After review the local people about harvesting medicinal plants in Pu Hu NR, a

statistic has been made and shown below:

Harvesting's Frequency

33

67

Regular

Irregular


Figure 4.3: Harvesting’s frequency of local people
14


Figure 4.3 shows the percentage about harvesting’s frequency of local people. This
graph indicates the local people are not harvest medicinal plant regularly. There were only
33% local people go to the forest regularly to harvest medicinal plants wheares irregular’s
percentage was more than two times. The quantity of medicinal plants were harvested depend
on the demand of each family. They only harvest the species that needed to treat when their
relative contracted a disease. The quantity of species where each family was harvested every
year is from 20 to 50 species. This showed that local people in Pu Hu NR mainly harvested
medicinal plants for use purposes and far less of the commercial purposes.


Planting
Arcording to the review the local people about harvesting medicinal plants in Pu Hu

NR, a statistic has been made and shown below:

Situation of planting medicinal plants

24

76

Plant

Not plant

Figure 4.4: Situation of planting medicinal plants

The figure 4.4 indicates the proportion of situation of planting medicinal plants in Pu
Hu NR. With 76% the proportion of local people who planted medicinal plants much higher
than this proportion of who did not plant medicinal plants. Due to amount of medicinal plants
in Pu Hu NR were enough or even higher than demand for use purpose, there was a small
number of local people choosing to plant medicinal plant. Moreover, they only choosed to
plant some medicnael plants which have high economic value like Drynaria fortune,
Eleutherococcus trifoliatus, Amomum longiligulare, Morinda officinalis How …ect.
4.2 Status of Morinda officinalis How in Pu Hu NR
4.2.1 Distribution of Morinda officinalis How in Pu Hu NR
Through the process of surveying and processing data, the updated map of Morinda
officinalis How has been set up according to the map scale of 1 / 125000, the quality

15


according to map editing standards, editing on VN2000, color map. The map illustrates the
map and coordinates of species encountered as follows:

Figure 4.5: The distribution map of Morinda officinalis How in Pu Hu NR
In these locations, Morinda officinalis How are often found along the survey trails,
clinging to small trees at low altitudes or small shrubs.
4.2.2 Distribution characteristics of Morinda officinalis How in Pu Hu NR
a. Forest status
Based on the data collected from the field surveys, results of the appearance of
Morinda officinalis How in Pu Hu NR were found in the forest status as follows:
Table 4.4: Forest status where Morinda officinalis How grow
No

Transect’s name


Plot

Forest status

1

Nam Tien Commune

1

IIb

2

IIIa1

1

GNu

2

IIIa2

1

GNu

2


Nu

1

GNu

2

IIIa2

2
3
4

Hien Chung Commune
Trung Ly Commune
Trung Thanh Commune

16


Table 4.4 shows that Morinda officinalis How in Pu Hu NR appear in forest status
IIIa2, IIIa1, IIb, G-Nu, Nu. In which, the best forest status with the distribution of Morinda
officinalis How under investigation is IIIa2. This forest status is quite simple species
composition, mainly small and medium timber species. These are all strongly preferred
species, indicating that the forest in the area is in restoration process. This is a good condition
for conservation and development of this species. Due to the favorable light conditions under
the forest canopy, in most of the forest conditions, the composition of shrubs, fresh mats, and
botanic fauna in the surveyed area is very varied, most of which are medicinal plants and
spices or yarn. The development of good fresh soils plays a major role in increasing humidity

under the forest canopy, which is a good condition for the growth of Morinda officinalis How.
But at the same time, it is also a challenge for this species of medicinal plants, because of the
strong competition for nutrition as well as living space.
b. Stand characteristic
Table 4.5: Stand information in each plot
No
1

2
4

5

Plot

Canopy
cover

Vegetation cover
(%)

Slop direction

Slope

1

0,5

75


Northeast

25°

2

0,75

65

Northeast

25°

1

0,5

89

Northeast

20°

2

0,85

70


North

25°

1

0,45

84

Southeast

27°

2

0

85

Southeast

22°

1

0,6

75


Northeast

23°

2

0,4

85

Northeast

20°

These plots have canopy cover distribute from 0.4 to 0.85, vegetation cover from 65%
to 89%, mainly concentrated in the northeast, southeast, north. In which, the southeast
direction receive more amount of light than the other two directions, this directly affects the
growth of plants, especially the upper ones. Thus, it influences the amount of light falling
under the canopy, where Morinda officinalis How appear. However, in the study area, the plot
in this drying direction has low forest cover because this is the area of bamboo species, which
strongly affects the natural regeneration of the tree floor. In addition, they create a large area
of land cover similar to that of a tree, which adversely affects the expansion of the range of
Morinda officinalis How which also requires the medium amount of light.

17