The New Zealand Epiphyte Network
  • NZ Epiphyte Network
  • Field Guide
  • 2013 Epiphyte Workshop
    • 2013 Presentations
  • 2016 Epiphyte Workshop
    • 2016 Presentations
    • Discussion Summary
  • Epiphytes, vines & mistletoes explained
  • NZ epiphyte survey programme
  • Publications and links
  • Blog
  • Gallery
  • Contact us!

Restoration-friendly cultivation for epiphytic medicinal orchids - by Fiona

5/6/2014

2 Comments

 
While searching for recent literature on epiphytes a paper by Liu et al. 2014 caught my eye. This review looks into the potential for ‘restoration-friendly cultivation’ of an epiphytic Dendrobium species which is used for traditional medicine in China. The fusion of traditional cultural practices within the context of restoration/conservation is a concept that has always intrigued me and one that I believe is gaining increasing traction here in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Picture
Dendrobium catenatum has medicinal uses in China. Photo: Slippertalk.com
China boasts over 1,000 species of native orchids, of which over a quarter of these species are used in traditional medicine or as health food supplements. 

Demand for species with desired traits has in many cases led to diminished wild populations and even localised extinction. The epiphytic medicinal orchid Dendrobium catenatum is no exception. Insatiable market demand for this species has led to rapid decline in wild populations throughout China and neighbouring countries. Moreover, the initiation of mass commercial cultivation has not effectively alleviated the pressure on wild populations because demand is higher for individuals sourced from the wild. 

Liu et al. argue for an unconventional introduction approach, in which populations planted in natural forests are allowed to be sustainably harvested (restoration-friendly cultivation). They claim “adding this restoration-friendly cultivation into the current mix of conservation approaches has the potential to turn deeply-entrenched traditional uses of orchids from a conservation challenge to a conservation success”.
Picture
Dr Hong Liu has proposed a new approach to orchid restoration that allows cultural harvesting. Photo: fairchildgarden.org
The ethno-botanical use of orchid species in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a 2000-year old tradition. Dendrobium catenatum is one of the more popular TCM herbs used in both prescribed medicine and as a health food supplement, it is usually consumed directly as a tea or mixed in a soup. Medicinal benefits include voice protection for vocal artists, cancer prevention and cure, and immune system support.


The pros and pitfalls of a restoration-friendly cultivation proposal for Dendrobium:

Potential pros:

  • The epiphytic and lithophytic nature of medicinal Dendrobium species means that they can be reintroduced on tree trunks or bare rocks within natural forests. Plants can be harvested non-destructively (taking older stems that have already flowered and fruited) giving reintroduced individuals a chance to regenerate naturally. 

  • The proposal promotes the preservation and enhancement of native ecosystems as a viable, profitable alternative to exotic agricultural practices.

  • Social benefits include the potential for adoption by marginalised populations of older and female rural residents in orchid hotspots due to non-intensive labour and smaller initial investments. The high market value and non-destructive harvesting technique allows for farmers to gain financial independence even in areas of limited arable land.


Potential pitfalls (which are addressed in the article):

  • Inappropriate genetic provenance 

  • Harmful impact on native ecosystems due to increased cultivation activities

  • Costly seedlings and difficulty finding appropriate markets for marginalised rural populations
Picture
Concluding statement from Liu et al.:

“Adding restoration friendly cultivation to the current mix of conservation offers a scientific solution to the TCM conservation conflict that not only respects, but takes advantage of, deeply-entrenched traditions. Such a new solution to a persisting conservation issue also holds promise for other regions facing similar species conservation issues.”

Exciting times??

Is anyone aware of any research or reviews of a similar nature from a New Zealand perspective that they can share? 

Having had the privilege of recently participating a Rongoa Maori course I can think of many examples of how traditional practices would complement conservation and restoration efforts here in New Zealand, are there any good examples you know of that are already taking place? 
2 Comments
sachin b h
16/8/2018 02:01:30 am

Any research on western ghats RET orchids restoration

Reply
Catherine
16/8/2018 01:50:45 pm

I'm not sure sorry Sachin, it would be interesting if there was.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Subscribe to NZ Epiphyte Blog:

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Like us on Facebook!
    Picture

    Catherine Kirby

    I work with NZ's native vascular epiphytes at the University of Waikato. I completed an MSc on epiphyte ecology and the shrub epiphyte Griselinia lucida and have recently published the Field Guide to NZ's Epiphytes, Vines & Mistletoes. 


    For me, the highlights of epiphyte research are the many unknowns, the amazing way that these plants survive in the canopy, and of course tree climbing!

    Subscribe to receive the weekly posts and join our facebook page to get interesting updates :)


    Categories

    All
    Canopy Research
    Epiphyte Classification
    International Epiphytes
    NZ Epiphyte Network
    NZ's Epiphytes


    Archives

    August 2016
    May 2016
    February 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.