Flora diversity of natural wetlands in Dong Thap Muoi

Abstract

This study aims to assess the flora diversity of natural wetlands in Dong Thap Muoi region, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Totally, 291 species, 214 genera, and 80 families belonging to two phyla of vascular plants (Polypodiophyta and Magnoliophyta) were recorded. Among them, 212 species are known to be valid for human uses including medicinal plants (131 species), edible plants (42 species), ornamental plants (15 species), household plants (12 species), and woody plants (12 species). Besides, we also recognized 03 species, namely Elaeocarpus hygrophilus, Oryza rufipogon, and Hemisorghum mekongense, which were listed in Vietnam’s Red Data Book - Part II: Plant - Bộ Khoa học và Công nghệ (2007). Life forms of plants were divided into six groups:  (1) grasses (196 species), (2) lianas (30 species), (3) shrubs (26 species), (4) small trees (19 species), (5) big trees (18 species), and (6) hemiparasites (2 species). Finally, four typical habitats in Dong Thap Muoi were recorded including the  Melaleuca forest, seasonally flooded grassland, bog, and tropical canal.