Orchid Species Now Extinct in Burma

The number of species of wild flowers has been falling steadily in Burma, most notably species of rare orchids. Now, horticulturists say, two beautiful species, the Rainbow Orchid and the Hirsute Paphiopedilum, are completely extinct in Burma.

The Rainbow Orchid (Paphiopedilum wardii) and the Hirsute Paphiopedilum (Paphiopedilum villosum) were first discovered in the valleys of Putao and Nagmung in northern Kachin State some 20 years ago.

According to an orchid horticulturist from the Myanmar Florist Association, it was not possible to locate either of the species when updating the association’s list of wild orchids in November 2007.

“We do not know exactly what the causes were that led to the total extinction of these two flowers, but it is a permanent lost for us,” he said.

There are no specific reasons why Burma’s wild flowers are under threat, although one possible reason is the demand from Chinese pharmacists for traditionally rare orchids that are used to produce herbal medicines in China.

“Chinese merchants will pay so much money to buy orchids from Burma,” said the horticulturalist. “Plus there are more Burmese orchid collectors nowadays and very few places in the deep forest where you can find orchids.”

According to a Burmese orchid buyer, Chinese merchants pay 30,000 kyat (US $27) to 100,000 kyat ($91) for a viss (1.6 kilograms) of wild orchids from Burma. They also offer large sums of money for rare orchids. Wild orchids which can be used as medication can be sold for up to $4,000 a ton on the Chinese market, he said.

“There are more than 20 wild orchids, such as Pierard’s Dendrobium (Dendrobium pierardii), the Musky Smelling Dendrobium (Dendrobium moschatum), the Hairy Column Foot Dendrobium (Dendrobium capillipes), that are used for herbal medicines. Some are good for the human liver and eyes, and they also substitute as multi-vitamins,” he added.

There are several large orchid plantations and orchid projects in Burma, but only run for commercial reasons. Collectors and horticulturalists mostly get orchid seeds from Western countries and grow them in Burma for profit.

The rare orchids that are being sold to Chinese herbalists usually originate with rural people in Burma, who peel wild orchids from tress and grow them privately in their gardens.

According to a gardener at Pyin Oo Lwin Advanced Orchid Garden in Central Burma: “Many orchids, especially traditional Burmese orchids which are known for their medicinal qualities, are always being stolen from the gardens.”

Pyin Oo Lwin Advanced Orchid Garden is the largest orchid garden in the country with more than 300 orchid species.

According to the Myanmar Forestry Department statistics, there are more than 17,000 species of orchid in the world, with 841 species in Burma. 
 
Irrawaddy correspondent Kyi Wai contributed to this article.