Green flash

The Annamite mountains of central Vietnam are providing scientists with a torrent of new and exciting species, such as this tree viper.
The environmental group WWF is showcasing some of the new discoveries this week. It says forests in the region are crucial for local indigenous peoples as well as wildlife.



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Dark lady

Among plants newly found in the Annamite forests, and exclusive to them, is this purple gem, Aspidistra nicolai.
The full mountain range stretches for more than 1,000km through Vietnam and Laos, but it is the remote central areas which have yielded spectacular discoveries in recent times.

The skipper

One of the smallest of the new finds is this butterfly, a "skipper" of the Zela genus.
Typified by a quick, darting flight, skippers differ anatomically from other butterflies, most noticeably by having antennae that sweep backwards at the ends.

Delicate flower

The central Annamite forests have yielded five of the plant world's "supermodels", orchids.
This multicoloured specimen is Anoectochilus annamensis, a rare shade-loving plant named after the mountain range.

Detritus lover

Not all orchids are cute.
Some, like Gastrodia theana, come with no chlorophyll, meaning they cannot obtain energy through photosynethesis. Theana doesn't even have any leaves, and lives on decaying matter as would be typical of many fungi.

Eyes have it

The group of species collectively known as the slow loris is threatened from various directions.
Used for food and in traditional medicine, and with their forest habitat dwindling in many parts of southeast Asia, perhaps the biggest issue is the pet trade. Creatures so cute are bound to be in demand, but often do not survive transit in captivitity.

Slack-jawed

WWF describes this part of the Annamite range as the Green Corridor. It is home to endangered reptiles, amphibians, birds and primates.
Local authorities say they are committed to conserving the region's natural resources; but as in other parts of the world, logging, hunting, and human development are all putting pressure on the wildlife.

that flower is really magnificent. Its not beautiful but its strangely lovely.