Amomum (Cardamom) and Number of Vascular Plants in Lao PDR

[Trond Arne Kvitvik]

1) Amomum (taxonomy and cultivation)
I have started working with medicinal cardamom (Amomum species) in Lao PDR,
(in a project with the goal of replacing opium cultivation with other cash
crops).

Since there are no herbaria (bigger than five cupboards) in this country
(with one of the highest deforestation rates in the world) it is somewhat
difficult to evaluate the status of this genus in Laos (I have not seen any
specimen yet).

Are there any of you that have studied the genus in Laos, or in the region,
that could give me info about taxonomic literature (or even send copies to
me??)
My ref. to an unfinished report: http://here.is/kvitvik/Cardamom.doc (I
would appreciate any comments)

2) Number of vascular plants in Lao PDR.
I have seen estimates from 2.500 to 8.500 species of plants (no reference to
what kind of). How many species of vascular plants are there in Laos? I am
aware of the fact that the answer can under the circumstances of extremely
low collection density and knowledge about the flora, not be anything better
than a qualified guess. But what is the best guess?

Trond Arne Kvitvik
Address: c/o Katariina Vainio-Mattila, UNDP, Phone Kheng Road, P.O.Box 345,
Vientiane Lao PDR. Email: trond.kvitvik at helsinki.fi