Guest guest Posted May 19, 2005 Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 ***************************Advertisement*************************** ***************************************************************** This message was forwarded to you by yitzeling. Comment from sender: This article is from The Star Online (http://thestar.com.my) URL: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/5/19/nation/10938850 & sec=nation ________________________ Thursday May 19, 2005 Some orchids could be lost forever CAMERON HIGHLANDS: While new exotic species and variants of the orchid have been unearthed, more still could be lost forever due to unsustainable development. Embi Abdullah, a local orchid specialist, claims that besides looking pretty, the orchid could be used for medicinal purposes as locals and the orang asli have used it as a traditional remedy over the years. However, land clearing for development and agriculture in the highland areas have destroyed several crucial orchid habitat. Among the species that have gone missing in the past 15 years are the Anoectochilus brevystilus, Goodyera bifida, Bulbophyllum malleolabrum, Calanthe monophylla, Corybas calopelos and Bulbophyllum hodgsonii. Embi said he found many new species and variants in his course of cataloguing the species throughout the years. “There are about 600 species. You feel that there is no more to be found but in reality there is much more. “We are about to finish cataloguing. There are still four to five new species or varieties that have yet to be found. “It is frustrating when we cannot find them because there is a medicinal potential for orchids,” he said. Embi, who has been bio-prospecting orchids for the past 20 years here, added that the listing work being carried out with the Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands (Reach) Society was done at 900m to 2,000m above sea level. Some of the species used in “old mother’s remedy” were the jewel orchid (Anoectochidus spp, Goodyera spp and Macodes spp), lady’s slipper (Paphiopedilum barbatum) and Apostasia spp. Embi said the jewel orchid and the lady’s slipper were known for their use in detoxification purposes and the Apostasia is a remedy for hypertension. He said species that could be used as fragrances are the aerides adoratum, coelogyne viscosa and coelogyne longibracteata while insecticides or pesticides could be made from bulbophyllum lasianthum or bulbophyllum foetidolen. “Of course, there is no scientific evidence yet. “It is not only the orchid which could have medicinal value but other plants, which have yet to be discovered, especially in the virgin forest. These plants could have bioactivity, medicinal and ornamental purposes,” he added. Embi believed that there should be a balance between development and conservation if one hoped to preserve the large biodiversity in the area. “You can identify certain areas which have biodiversity potential and develop the surrounding areas. “The area with potential could be turned into an eco-park. Whether or not the plants have medicinal properties, they should be kept intact,” he said. <p> ________________________ Your one-stop information portal: The Star Online http://thestar.com.my http://biz.thestar.com.my http://classifieds.thestar.com.my http://cards.thestar.com.my http://search.thestar.com.my http://star-motoring.com http://star-space.com http://star-jobs.com http://star-ecentral.com http://star-techcentral.com 1995-2004 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Star Publications is prohibited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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