Threatened Plants Programmes: Zambia
Arthyrium, Pandanus and
Habenaria
The Threatened Plants Programme (TPP) focuses on the
rescue of Arthyrium annae, Pandanus livingstonianus, and Habenaria
orthocentron in the Lumangwe and Kabwelume Falls areas, the proposed
sites for hydro-electric projects.
As the University of Zambia (UNZA) Nursery is collaborating
on the project, facilities have been set up at the UNZA nursery to house
the threatened plants to be collected under the auspices of the project.
The facilities procured and set include shade for plants, plastic pipes
to be used above and underground, and accompanying irrigation accessories.
Time and financial constraints made it unfeasible to
undertake two field trips, which would have been ideal for the added purpose
of identifying as many new and previously unidentified (likely endemic)
plants as possible.
In the field
Dr P.S.M. Phiri, M. Phiri, H. Zulu and D.K. Chuba undertook a field trip
from 13-23 October 2003 to collect live plants of the mentioned taxa for
ex situ propagation. This was done in consultation and collaboration
with the Department of Forestry officers, the Zambia Wildlife Association
(ZAWA) in Kawambwa, and the Zambia Monuments Commission staff in Kawambwa
and Mporokoso. Through Dr Phiri, Dr Graham Williamson provided very valuable
information and material, which were used as a reference source during the
trip.
Of the targeted taxa, Pandanus livingstonianus and
Arthyrium annae seedlings/plants were collected. These are being
propagated at the UNZA nursery. Regrettably, the team did not locate the
endemic orchid Habernaria orthocentron. Another attempt to collect
this orchid is likely to be made with other funding in future. Because the
project area is renowned for a number of endemic plant taxa, the team hoped
to find a number of interesting taxa during the trip.
Interesting finds
Among the number of interesting plants that the team found in the area
was the Psilotum nudum, recorded on a riparian forest floor in the
Lumangwe Falls area for the first time. An interesting-looking orchid species
(yet to be identified) was also collected on an island just above the Lumangwe
Falls. In addition, tubers of another yet-to-be-identified orchid species
were collected up-stream from the Lumangwe Falls. UNZA nursery is attempting
to propagate these. Included in the other yet-to-be-identified plants was
a species of the epiphytic Bulbophyllum genus, with interestingly
shaped pseudobulbs. Other unique plant seeds and seedlings collected in
addition to our main mission plants included taxa, such as Aloe luapulana,
Euphorbia williamsonii, and Euphorbia fanshaweii.
The specimens will be planted in the UNZA Botanical Garden
currently being developed, and multiplied to provide seedlings for sale
to the public.
—by D.K. Chuba
