Humble plants that hide surprising secrets | Ameenah Gurib-Fakim:

翻译人员: Wenchan Jiang 校对人员: Wei Wu

You know, it's a big privilege for me

在世界上生物多样性最丰富的地方之一工作

to be working in one of the biodiversity hotspots in the world:

使我的研究有着得天独厚的优势

the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean.

这个地方位于印度洋中的马斯克林群岛

These islands — Mauritius, Rodrigues, and Réunion —

群岛包括：毛里求斯，罗德里格斯，和留尼汪岛

along with the island of Madagascar,

以及马达加斯加岛

they are blessed with unique plants

这些岛屿上生长有着独一无二的植物

found nowhere else in the world.

仅此一处

And today I will tell you about five of them

今天我将向你们介绍其中五种

and their particular features

包括它们的特点

and why these plants are so unique.

以及它们为何如此的独一无二

Take a look at this plant.

首先看这类植物

I call it benjoin in the local vernacular,

当地人称之为 Benjoin

and the botanical name is Terminalia bentzoe,

学名叫做 Terminalia Bentzoe (使君子科榄仁树属 Bentzoe 种)

subspecies bentzoe.

是bentzoe的次级种类

This subspecies is endemic to Mauritius,

这类植物为毛里求斯所特有的

and its particular feature

它的特点就是

is its heterophylly.

异形叶性

What do I mean by heterophylly?

异形叶性是什么意思呢

It's that the same plant

它指的是在同一植物里

has got leaves that are different shapes and sizes.

叶子具有不同的形状和大小

Now, these plants have evolved

这类植物经过进化

very far away from the mainland,

已经远离了大陆

and within specific ecosystems.

而且只存活于特定的生态环境中

Often, these particular features

这些独特的性质通常

have evolved as a response to the threat

进化为一种应激反应

presented by the local fauna,

以此应对来自当地动物的威胁

in this case, grazing tortoises.

在这里指的就是食草的乌龟

Tortoises are known to have poor eyesight,

乌龟的视力很差

and as such, they tend to avoid the plants

所以它们会尽量避免

they don't recognize.

那些它们不认识的植物

So this evolutionary foil safeguards the plant

所以这种进化出的叶子保护了植物

against these rather cute animals,

不被这些动物吃掉

and protects it and of course ensures its survival.

也就保证了其存活率

Now the question you're probably asking yourself is,

现在你们可能在心里犯嘀咕了

why is she telling us all these stories?

她跟我们说这些干什么呢

The reason for that is that we tend to overlook

原因是我们总是不重视

the diversity and the variety of the natural world.

自然世界的多样性

These particular habitats are unique

这些生存环境是独一无二的

and they are host to a whole lot of plants.

也是无数植物赖以生存的场所

We don't realize how valuable

我们没有意识到

and how precious these resources are,

这些资源宝贵的价值

and yet, through our insouciance,

我们仍然毫不在乎地

we keep on destroying them.

在继续破坏它们

We're all familiar

我们都熟知

with the macro impact of urbanization,

城镇化所带来的宏观影响

climate change, resource exploitation,

比如气候变化，资源掠夺

but when that one last plant —

但是当某类植物

or animal for that matter —

或者动物的最后一个种群

when that very last specimen

当最后一例个体

has disappeared from the face of this Earth,

从地球上消失以后

we would have lost

我们就会失去

an entire subset of the Earth's biology,

生物体系中的一整套次级体系

and with it, important plants with medicinal potential

在这套体系中，有些植物有着重要的潜在医用价值

or which could have ingredients

或者有一些植物的成分

that would speak to the cosmetic,

本来可以用于化妆品

nutrition, pharma,

营养品，制药业

and even the ethno-veterinary sectors,

甚至是兽医用的草药研究

be gone forever.

都永远地消失了

And here we have a very prime example

这儿有个典型的例子

of the iconic dodo, which comes from Mauritius,

具有标志性的毛里求斯的渡渡鸟

and, of course, we know is now a symbol of extinction.

当然，现在它已经是物种灭绝的一个象征了

We know plants have a fundamental role to play.

我们都知道植物扮演着基础而重要的角色

Well, first of all, they feed us

首先，它们养活了我们

and they also give us the oxygen we breathe,

它们也提供我们呼吸的氧气

but plants are also the source

植物同时也提供

of important, biologically active ingredients

很多重要的，具有生物活性的成分

that we should be studying very carefully,

因此值得我们仔细研究

because human societies over the millennia,

因为人类社会经过几千年

they have developed important knowledge,

已经掌握了许多重要的知识

cultural traditions,

发展出了不同的文化传统

and important plant-based medicinal resources.

并获得了重要的药用植物资源

Here's a data point:

数据显示

1.4 percent of the entire land surface

1.4%的全球地表上

is home to 40 percent of the species of higher plants,

生长着40%的高等植物

35 percent of the species of vertebrates,

35%的脊椎动物

and this 1.4 percent

而且这1.4%的土地

represents the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world,

包括了世界上25个生物多样性最丰富的地方

and this 1.4 percent of the entire land surface

也正是这1.4%的全球陆地上

already provides for 35 percent

却提供了35%的

of the ecosystem services

我们脆弱的人类赖以生存的

that vulnerable people depend on.

生态系统服务

And as you can see,

正如你们看到的一样

the island of Mauritius

我所工作和生活的

where I work and where I live,

毛里求斯群岛

belongs to one such biodiversity hotspot,

正是生物多样性最丰富的地方之一

and I study the unique plants

而我研究的就是岛上那些稀奇的植物

on the island for their biomedical applications.

在生物医学方面的应用

Now, let's go back again

让我们倒回去看

to that first plant I showed you,

我给你们看的第一种植物

the one, of course, with different-shaped leaves

这个有着不同形状和尺寸的叶子的植物

and different sizes, Terminalia bentzoe,

Terminalia bentzoe (使君子科榄仁树属bentzoe种)

subspecies bentzoe,

属于bentzoe的次级种类

a plant only found in Mauritius.

毛里求斯所独有的植物

Now, the local people,

当地居民

they used a decoction of the leaves

用这种叶子来煎药

against infectious diseases.

来治疗感染

Now our work, that is,

我们的工作就是

the scientific validation of this traditional information,

通过科学的方法来验证这种传统医疗手段

has shown that precisely

我们对这些叶子的提取物的研究结果

that leaf extract shows activity, potent activity,

也的确证明了它强劲的活性

against a wide range of bacteria

它可以用来对付许多

that could be pathogenic to humans.

可能使人类致病的细菌

Now, could this plant be the answer

那这种植物能解决

to antibiotic resistance?

抗生素耐药性的问题吗

You know, antibiotic resistance is proving to be

众所周知，抗生素耐药性

a big challenge globally.

正成为一个全球性的挑战

While we may not be sure, one thing is certain:

虽然我们并不确定这种植物 在抗生素耐药性方面的功效

we will not want this plant to disappear.

但肯定不能让它先灭绝了

But the harsh reality is that

但残酷的现实却是

this particular plant is in fact

这种独特的植物

considered to be vulnerable

在它的自然生存环境中

in its natural habitat.

实际上是非常脆弱的

This brings me to another example.

来看另外一个例子

This bush here is known as baume de l'ile plate

这类灌木被当地人称为

in the local vernacular.

小岛香油膏 (balm of the island platform)

The botanical name is Psiadia arguta.

学名叫做菊科毛国木菊 (Psiadia arguta)

It's a plant which is rare,

这种植物非常稀少

which is endemic to Mauritius.

也是毛里求斯所特有的植物

It used to grow on the mainland,

它以前生长在大陆上

but through the sheer pressures of urbanization

但是由于城镇化所带来的压力

has been pushed out of the mainland,

它在大陆上已经见不到了

and we've managed to bring it back

我们也是通过人工培育

from the brink of extinction

才好不容易

by developing in vitro plants

使它没有灭绝

which are now growing in the wild.

而重新在野外生长开来

Now, one thing I must point out straightaway

但我必须得说清楚一点

is that not all plants

那就是并不是所有的植物

can be developed in vitro.

都能用人工培育的方式得以保留存活

While we humans, we are happy in our comfort zone,

正如人类在宜居地带会比较安逸

these plants also need

植物也是一样的

their ecosystem to be preserved,

它们也需要合适的自然生态环境

and they don't react — endemic plants

而本地植物对生态环境的剧烈变化

don't react to very harsh changes in their ecosystem,

反应往往比较迟缓

and yet we know what are the challenges

同时除了气候变化

that climate change, for example,

我们并不知道

is posing to these plants.

植物的生态环境还面临哪些挑战

Now, the local people again use the leaves

当地居民仍然

in traditional medicine

按照传统医药的方式

against respiratory problems.

用这些叶子来治疗呼吸道的疾病

Now, our preliminary labwork

我们对叶子的提取物进行了研究

on the leaf extract has shown

研究结果初步表明

that precisely these leaves contain ingredients

这些叶子的成分

that are very close, in terms of structures,

从化学结构式上来讲

chemical structures, to those medicines

和药店里面所卖的

which are sold in the chemist's shop

那些抗哮喘的药

against asthma.

是非常接近的

So who knows

所以没人知道如果这些植物

what humanity will benefit from

能够得到全面的研发

should this plant decide to reveal all its secrets.

人类还能从中收益多少

Now, I come from the developing world

我来自发展中国家

where we are forever being challenged with this issue

我们一直面临着

of population explosion.

人口爆炸的挑战

Africa is the continent which is getting younger,

非洲人口正变得越来越多

and whenever one talks about population explosion,

每当人们提到人口爆炸的时候

one talks about the issue of food security

总会提到食物短缺的问题

as being the other side of the same coin.

就像是一枚硬币的两面一样

Now this plant here, the baobab,

这个植物名叫猴面包树

could be part of the answer.

也许会是解决方案

It's an underutilized, neglected food plant.

它被忽视了，并没有得到全面的开发利用

It defines the landscape of West Africa,

它构成了西非的风景线

where it is known as the tree of life,

被认为是生命之树

and later on I will tell you why

稍后我会解释

the Africans consider it to be the tree of life.

非洲人称之为生命之树的原因

Now interestingly, there are many legends

有很多有趣的

which are associated with this plant.

关于这种植物的故事

Because of its sheer size,

主要是因为它体型巨大

it was meant to be lording over lesser plants,

它对其他比它小的植物颐气指使

so God didn't like this arrogance,

这种狂妄惹恼了上帝

uprooted it, and planted it upside down,

所以把它连根拔起，使它倒栽葱地长在土里

hence its particular shape.

就形成了它独特的形状

And if you look at this tree again

我们从非洲部落的角度

within the African context,

来看这种树

in West Africa, it's known as the palaver tree,

在西非，它承担着重要的社交功能

because it performs great social functions.

所以也被称为“洽谈树”

Now if you have a problem in the community,

如果部族里面某人有了麻烦

meeting under the palaver tree

他们就会和族长或者族人

with the chiefs or the tribesmen

在洽谈树下见面商讨

would be synonymous to trying to find a solution

以期一起努力

to that particular problem,

来解决问题

and also to reinforce trust and respect

这样做也巩固了

among members of the community.

族群成员间的相互信任和尊重

From the scientific point of view,

从科学的角度来看

there are eight species of baobab in the world.

世界上有八种不同种类的猴面包树

There's one from Africa,

一种来自于非洲

one from Australia,

一种来自澳洲

and six are endemic

另外六种则是

to the island of Madagascar.

马达加斯加岛上的特产了

The one I have showed you

这幅图片里的

is the one from Africa,

是来自于非洲的

Adansonia digitata.

叫做非洲猴面包树 (Adansonia digitata)

Now, the flower, this beautiful white flower,

这种漂亮的白花

it opens at night, is pollinated by bats,

它会在夜晚开放，由蝙蝠来进行授粉

and it gives rise to the fruit

最后结出果实

which is curiously known

被称为

as the monkey apple.

猴苹果

The monkeys are not stupid animals.

猴子很聪明

They know what's good for them.

它们知道这种果子好吃

Now, if you open the fruit of the baobab,

如果把猴面包树的果实打开

you'll see a white, floury pulp,

就会看到白色粉状的果肉

which is very rich in nutrients

这些果肉营养非常丰富

and has got protein,

含有大量蛋白质

more protein than in human milk.

甚至比人奶所含的蛋白质更为丰富

Yes, you heard right:

是的，你没听错

more protein than in human milk.

比人奶所含的蛋白质更为丰富

And this is one of the reasons why

这也是为什么世界上

the nutrition companies of this world,

那些做营养品的公司

they are looking for this fruit to provide

他们在竭力寻取这种水果

what we know as reinforced food.

来生产所谓的增强型食品

The seeds give an oil, a very stable oil

猴面包树的种子还可以产出一种稳定的油

which is sought after by the cosmetic industry

这种油可以用来生产

to give to produce body lotions, for example.

比如于身体乳之类的护肤品

And if you look at the trunk,

再来看树干

the trunk, of course, safeguards water,

这种树干可以保持水分

which is often harvested by a thirsty traveler,

渴了的旅客经常用来解渴

and the leaves are used in traditional medicine

树叶也通过传统的方式入药

against infectious disease.

来治疗传染病

Now, you can see now why the Africans consider it

现在你们应该明白为什么

to be the tree of life.

非洲人民称之为生命之树了吧

It's a complete plant,

它是一座完备的植物工厂

and in fact, the sheer size of these trees

其实光是这些树的体型就暗示着

is hiding a massive potential,

里面蕴藏着巨大的开发潜力

not only for the pharma, nutrition, and the cosmetic industry.

不仅仅在医药，营养领域，还包括化妆品界

What I have showed you here

我刚刚给你介绍的

is only the species from Africa,

还仅仅是非洲的品种

Adansonia digitata.

非洲猴面包树

We have six species yet in Madagascar,

还有在马达加斯加岛上的另外六种猴面包树

and we don't know what is the potential of this plant,

我们还并不完全知道这种植物的潜力

but one thing we know is that the flora

但有一点是确定的

is considered to be threatened with extinction.

那就是这种植物正面临灭绝

Let me take you to Africa again,

让我们再回到非洲

and introduce you to one of my very favorite,

来看我最喜欢的一种植物

the resurrection plant.

“复活花”

Now here you'll find

你们会看到

that even Jesus has competition.

就连会复活的耶稣也有竞争对手了

(Laughter)

(笑声)

Now, this plant here has developed

这种植物经过进化

remarkable tolerance to drought,

对干旱有着非常好的忍耐力

which enables it to withstand

这使得它在一年中

up to 98 percent dehydration over the period of a year

在不受到破坏的情况下

without damage,

可以承受高达98%的脱水程度

and yet it can regenerate itself almost completely

而且它还可以在一夜之间，二十四小时内

overnight, over 24 hours, and flower.

几乎完全地恢复原状再开花

Now, us human beings,

我们人类一直在寻找

we're always on the lookout for the elixir of youth.

可以永葆青春的灵丹妙药

We don't want to get old, and rightly so.

的确也是，谁都不想变老

Why should we, especially if you can afford it?

如果可以永葆青春的话，为什么要变老呢

And this gives you an indication

这个是脱水的时候

of what the plant looks like before.

这株植物的样子

Now, if you are an inexperienced gardener,

如果你是一个新手园丁的话

the first thing you'll do when you visit the garden

当走进花园看到这个样子的植物的时候

is to uproot this plant because it's dead.

估计第一反应就是它已经死了，赶紧拔了它

But if you water it, this is what you get.

但是如果给它浇点水

Absolutely amazing.

你就会看到这样神奇的变化

Now, if you look at our aging process,

我们衰老的过程

the aging process is in fact the loss of water

其实就是一个上层表皮脱水的过程

from the upper epidermis, resulting in wrinkling

最终导致皱纹

as we know it, especially women,

我们都知道这个道理，尤其是女性

we are so conscious of this.

女性朋友非常在意皱纹

And this plant, in fact, is giving the cosmetic chemists

这种植物给了研究化妆品的化学家们

very important ingredients

非常重要的原料

that are actually finding ways

这样研究人员可以想办法

to slow down the aging process

延缓衰老的过程

and at the same time reinforce the cells

并且增强细胞

against the onslaught of environmental toxins.

对外部环境毒素的抵抗力

Now, these four examples

以上我给你们介绍的

I have just given you

四个例子

are just a very tiny reminder

还仅仅只是一个小小的警示

as to how our health

它们提醒着

and our survival are closely linked

我们的健康和生存

to the health and the resilience

和我们所在的生态系统的健康和适应性

of our ecosystem,

是如何紧密相连的

and why we should be very careful

也提醒我们

about preserving biodiversity.

保留生物多样性的重要性

Every time a forest is cut down,

每当一片树林被伐倒

every time a marsh is filled in,

或是湿地被填满

it is a potential lab that goes with it,

一个潜在的研究领域也就此消亡

and which we will never, ever recover.

而我们再也无法挽回

And I know what I'm talking about,

就像我所提到的

coming from Mauritius and missing the dodo.

毛里求斯岛上消失的渡渡鸟一样

Let me finish with just one last example.

在结束之前我再举一个例子

Conservation issues are normally guided

环境保护措施通常都是

towards rare, endemic plants,

针对稀有的，当地特有的物种

but what we call exotic plants,

但那些外来物种

that is, the ones which grow in many different habitats across the world,

也就是分布在世界各地的某个物种

they also need to be considered.

它们同样值得保护

You know why? Because the environment plays

为什么呢？因为环境

a very important role

在改变该种植物成分的过程中

in modifying the composition of that plant.

起着非常重要的作用

So let's take a look at this plant here,

比如这种植物

Centella asiatica. It's a weed.

积雪草(centella asiatica)

We call it a weed.

普通人称之为杂草

Now, Centella asiatica grows across the world

积雪草就分布在世界各地

in many different habitats — in Africa, in Asia —

比如非洲，亚洲

and this plant has been instrumental

这种植物就为上个世纪40年代

in providing a solution to that dreadful disease

解决马达加斯加岛上的麻风病

called leprosy in Madagascar in the 1940s.

提供了一种解决方案

Now, while Centella grows across the world —

尽管积雪草分布在世界各地

in Africa, in Asia — the best quality Centella

质量最好的品种

comes from Madagascar,

还是来自于马达加斯加

because that Centella contains the three vital ingredients

因为那儿的积雪草含有三种关键成分

which are sought after by the pharma

各大医药和化妆品公司

and the cosmetic companies.

都在竭力获取它们

And the cosmetic companies are already using it

一些化妆品公司已经在用积雪草

to make regenerating cream.

来生产焕肤霜

Now, there is an ancient saying

古语有云

that for every disease known to mankind,

世间人百病

there is a plant to cure it.

俱有草药解

Now, you may not believe in ancient sayings.

也许你们并不相信这些古话

You may think they're obsolete

可能觉得它们已经过时了

now that our science and technology are so powerful.

而且我们当今科技已经这么的发达

So you may look on Centella as being

所以你们仅仅把积雪草当成是

an insignificant, humble weed,

无关紧要，低贱的杂草

which, if destroyed, won't be missed.

即使灭绝了也无所谓

But you know, there is no such thing as a weed.

但是你们要知道，世上其实没有“杂草”这么一说

It's a plant.

它不仅是一株植物

It's a living biological lab

它还是一个活体生物研究实验室

that may well have answers

在这个实验室里，我们可能会找到

to the question that we may have,

解决我们各种问题的答案

but we have to ensure

但首先，我们必须得保证

that it has the right to live.

它们有生存的权利

Thank you.

谢谢

(Applause)

(掌声)