Scientists have discovered two new species of beech, scientifically known as Castanopsis grandicicatricata and Castanopsis multiporcata, in Xuan Son National Park in the northern Phu Tho Province.

Vuong Duy Hung, from the Viet Nam Forestry University, said that Castanopsis grandicicatricata has thick papery leaves, cupules of six to seven centimetres in diameter and scar covering two-thirds of the nut.

Castanopsis multiporcata's leaf blade is five to eight centimetres long, has leaf texture of papery firmness, is abaxially glabrescent and has six to 10 pairs of secondary veins. It also has 0.3 to 0.7-cm long petioles, two to 2.5-cm diameter cupules and concave scar.

The discovery of the two new species has enriched the list of plants in the national park, Hung added.

The national park covers more than 15,000ha and is located about 120km away from Ha Noi. 

VNS