Existing comment:
Saving Tian-Ma:
Tian-ma is the Chinese name for Gastrodia elata, an orchid species that in endangered in the wild. Because it requires the assistance of two fungi in order to thrive and is very sensitive to its environment, Gastroia elata is an extremely difficult orchid to cultivate.
It is also an extremely important plant in traditional Chinese medicine, and its effectiveness in treating hypertension makes it valuable today. Despite the challenges, researchers in China are developing ways to cultivate Gastroia artificially in labs and greenhouses, using cloning and other techniques. |