VNExpress-Feb 2
The Tam Quy Forest in Thanh Hoa Province, spread over 520 hectares, is the only protected area for endangered tree Madhuca pasquieri in Vietnam and the largest in Southeast Asia. The forest spread over three communes of Ha Trung District, viz., Ha Tan, Ha Dong and Ha Linh, is about 25 km from Thanh Hoa capital.
The trees, known as sen or sen mat in Vietnamese, are scattered on low hills, at an altitude of 50-325 m. This is one of nearly 90 forest reserve areas that are strictly protected. Trinh Xuan Dac, 53 a Tam Quy forest ranger, said it has been estimated that there were tens of thousands of different large and small trees of the endangered species, but no detailed data on them. The Madhuca pasquieri belongs to the sapodilla family (Sapotaceae) and Sapotales. They are found mainly in China, Vietnam and some Southeast Asian countries. Chuong said this tree is classified as part of a group of multi-purpose plants and is listed in the group of four solid woods used in construction. Charcoal made with this wood has high heat that is used to forge all kinds of farm tools. No other coal can do this, he added.
Its fruit can be pressed to get cooking oil, replacing animal fat, and its leaves are ingredients in some folk medicines for skin diseases and burns. Read more at:
