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

譯者: Sunny Yeh 審譯者: Adrienne Lin

You know, it's a big privilege for me

在世界上生物多樣性最豐富的地方工作

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

是我極大的榮幸

the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean.

這個地方位於印度洋的馬斯克林群島

These islands — Mauritius, Rodrigues, and Réunion —

這些群島包括：模里西斯、 羅德里格斯島和留尼旺群島

along with the island of Madagascar,

以及馬達加斯加島

they are blessed with unique plants

這些島嶼有著獨一無二的植物

found nowhere else in the world.

你在其他地方不可能找得到

And today I will tell you about five of them

今天我將向你們介紹其中五種植物

and their particular features

包括它們特殊的特徵

and why these plants are so unique.

以及它們如此特別的原因

Take a look at this plant.

我們先來看看這種植物

I call it benjoin in the local vernacular,

當地人稱它為安息香

and the botanical name is Terminalia bentzoe,

它的植物學名叫欖仁葉

subspecies bentzoe.

是欖仁樹屬的次級種類

This subspecies is endemic to Mauritius,

這種植物為模里西斯特有植物

and its particular feature

而它的特徵就是

is its heterophylly.

它的異形葉性

What do I mean by heterophylly?

什麼是異形葉性呢？

It's that the same plant

就是指說在同一株植物中

has got leaves that are different shapes and sizes.

有許多不同形狀和大小的葉子

Now, these plants have evolved

如今這些植物都經過進化

very far away from the mainland,

已經遠離了大陸

and within specific ecosystems.

而且只存在於特定的生態系中

Often, these particular features

通常這些特徵

have evolved as a response to the threat

都進化為一種激烈反應

presented by the local fauna,

以此應對當地動物的威脅

in this case, grazing tortoises.

在這裡指的就是食草性的陸龜

Tortoises are known to have poor eyesight,

陸龜的視力很差

and as such, they tend to avoid the plants

所以它們會盡量避免

那些它們無法辨認的植物

they don't recognize.

So this evolutionary foil safeguards the plant

所以這種進化的葉子保護植物

against these rather cute animals,

防止它們被這類動物吃掉

and protects it and of course ensures its survival.

也就更加確保其存活率

Now the question you're probably asking yourself is,

現在你心裡的疑問來了

why is she telling us all these stories?

她為何要說這些故事呢？

The reason for that is that we tend to overlook

原因是，我們常常忽略

the diversity and the variety of the natural world.

自然世界中的多樣性

These particular habitats are unique

這些自然棲息地獨一無二

and they are host to a whole lot of plants.

它們是無數植物賴以生長的家

We don't realize how valuable

我們沒有意識到

and how precious these resources are,

這些資源是多麼有價值且珍貴

and yet, through our insouciance,

我們甚至仍毫不在乎地

we keep on destroying them.

繼續破壞它們

We're all familiar

我們都非常熟悉

with the macro impact of urbanization,

城市化所帶來的巨大衝擊

climate change, resource exploitation,

氣候變遷、資源掠奪

but when that one last plant —

但唯有當最後一種植物

or animal for that matter —

或是最後一種動物

when that very last specimen

最後一個樣本

has disappeared from the face of this Earth,

從地球上消失以後

we would have lost

我們就真的失去

an entire subset of the Earth's biology,

一個完整的地球生物體系

and with it, important plants with medicinal potential

在這套體系中有著 潛在醫療價值的重要植物

or which could have ingredients

或是植物中的成分

that would speak to the cosmetic,

本來可以用於化妝品

nutrition, pharma,

營養品、製藥品

and even the ethno-veterinary sectors,

甚至是獸醫用的方針

be gone forever.

都將消失而永不復見

And here we have a very prime example

這裡有個典型的例子

of the iconic dodo, which comes from Mauritius,

具有代表性的模里西斯渡渡鳥

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

當然，現在牠已是 一個物種滅絕的象徵

We know plants have a fundamental role to play.

我們都知道植物扮演著 一個很重要的角色

Well, first of all, they feed us

首先，它是我們的食物

and they also give us the oxygen we breathe,

它們也提供我們呼吸的氧氣

but plants are also the source

而植物同時也提供很多

of important, biologically active ingredients

重要且具有生物活性的成分

that we should be studying very carefully,

因此值得我們仔細研究

because human societies over the millennia,

因為人類社會經過幾千年

they have developed important knowledge,

已經發展出許多重要的知識

cultural traditions,

不同的文化傳統

and important plant-based medicinal resources.

以及重要醫療用的植物資源

Here's a data point:

數據顯示

1.4 percent of the entire land surface

全球地表上的 1.4%

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

生長著 40% 的高等植物

35 percent of the species of vertebrates,

35% 的脊椎動物

and this 1.4 percent

而這 1.4% 的土地代表著

represents the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world,

世界上 25 個生物多樣性最豐富的地方

and this 1.4 percent of the entire land surface

而全球陸地上的 1.4%

already provides for 35 percent

提供了 35%

of the ecosystem services

我們脆弱人類最賴以生存的

that vulnerable people depend on.

生態系統服務

And as you can see,

就如同你們所看到的

the island of Mauritius

模里西斯群島

where I work and where I live,

就是我工作和生活的地方

belongs to one such biodiversity hotspot,

這裡正屬於物種大熔爐的地方之一

and I study the unique plants

而我研究的正是島上 這些獨一無二的植物

on the island for their biomedical applications.

作為生物醫療方面的應用

Now, let's go back again

現在，讓我們回去看

to that first plant I showed you,

我給你們看的第一種植物

the one, of course, with different-shaped leaves

這個有著不同形狀和大小的葉子植物

and different sizes, Terminalia bentzoe,

欖仁葉

subspecies bentzoe,

屬於欖仁樹屬的次級種類

a plant only found in Mauritius.

是模里西斯所獨有的植物

Now, the local people,

現在，模里西斯的當地居民

they used a decoction of the leaves

他們用這種葉子煎藥

against infectious diseases.

以治療感染疾病

Now our work, that is,

而我們的工作就是

the scientific validation of this traditional information,

透過科學的方法 來驗證這種傳統醫療方式

has shown that precisely

以恰好證明

that leaf extract shows activity, potent activity,

這些葉子的提取物證明他們的活性

against a wide range of bacteria

可以用來對付許多

that could be pathogenic to humans.

使人類致病的細菌

Now, could this plant be the answer

現在，這種植物能解決

to antibiotic resistance?

抗生素耐藥性的問題嗎？

You know, antibiotic resistance is proving to be

抗生素耐藥性正是

a big challenge globally.

一個全球所面臨的巨大挑戰

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

儘管我們還不確定 但有一點是無庸置疑的

we will not want this plant to disappear.

我們一定不能讓這些植物消失

But the harsh reality is that

但殘酷的事實是

this particular plant is in fact

實際上這種特定的植物

considered to be vulnerable

在它的自然原生棲息地中

in its natural habitat.

是非常脆弱的

This brings me to another example.

我們來看另外一個例子

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

這些灌木被當地人稱為

小島香油膏

in the local vernacular.

The botanical name is Psiadia arguta.

植物學名叫做菊科毛國木菊

It's a plant which is rare,

這種植物非常稀少

which is endemic to Mauritius.

是模里西斯特有的植物

It used to grow on the mainland,

它以前生長在大陸上

but through the sheer pressures of urbanization

但是由於城市化帶來的種種壓力

has been pushed out of the mainland,

在大陸上已經再也見不到它了

and we've managed to bring it back

而我們設法使它從滅絕的邊緣中

from the brink of extinction

死灰復燃

by developing in vitro plants

透過人工培育

which are now growing in the wild.

讓它重新在野外開始生長

Now, one thing I must point out straightaway

但我必須說清楚一點

is that not all plants

那就是並不是所有的植物

can be developed in vitro.

都能透過人工培育重新復育

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

正如同我們人類 快樂地待在舒適圈一樣

these plants also need

這些植物也需要

their ecosystem to be preserved,

合適的生態環境

and they don't react — endemic plants

而本地植物往往

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

對生態環境的劇烈變化反應遲鈍

and yet we know what are the challenges

然而我們並不知道

除了氣候變遷

that climate change, for example,

is posing to these plants.

植物的生存環境還面臨了那些挑戰

Now, the local people again use the leaves

現在，當地居民依然用這些樹葉

in traditional medicine

根據最傳統醫藥的方式

against respiratory problems.

來治療呼吸道的疾病

Now, our preliminary labwork

我們對葉子的提取物進行研究

on the leaf extract has shown

結果初步顯示

that precisely these leaves contain ingredients

這些葉子的成分

that are very close, in terms of structures,

從化學結構式來看

chemical structures, to those medicines

和藥店裡面所賣的

which are sold in the chemist's shop

那些抗氣喘的藥

against asthma.

是非常相近的

So who knows

所以沒有人知道

what humanity will benefit from

人類會從這些植物當中

should this plant decide to reveal all its secrets.

獲得多少的益處

Now, I come from the developing world

我來自發展中國家

where we are forever being challenged with this issue

我們一直面臨著

of population explosion.

人口爆炸的挑戰

Africa is the continent which is getting younger,

非洲人口正變得越來越多

and whenever one talks about population explosion,

每當人們提到人口爆炸的時候

one talks about the issue of food security

總會提到食物短缺的問題

as being the other side of the same coin.

就像是一枚硬幣的兩面一樣

Now this plant here, the baobab,

這個植物名稱叫做猴麵包樹

could be part of the answer.

也許會是解決方案

It's an underutilized, neglected food plant.

它被忽視且未被完全開發利用

It defines the landscape of West Africa,

它構成了西非的風景線

where it is known as the tree of life,

被視為是生命之樹

and later on I will tell you why

稍後我會解釋

the Africans consider it to be the tree of life.

非洲人稱之為生命之樹的原因

Now interestingly, there are many legends

很多很有趣的傳奇

which are associated with this plant.

關於這種植物的故事

Because of its sheer size,

主要是因為它的巨大體型

it was meant to be lording over lesser plants,

使它稱霸其他比它小的植物

so God didn't like this arrogance,

這種狂妄惹惱了上帝

uprooted it, and planted it upside down,

因此將它連根拔起 以倒頭栽的方式種植它

hence its particular shape.

也就形成了它獨特的形狀

And if you look at this tree again

而若我們以非洲的角度

within the African context,

來看這種樹

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

在西非，它被稱為「談判樹」

because it performs great social functions.

因為它具有重要的社交功能

Now if you have a problem in the community,

如果部落裡面有什麼麻煩

meeting under the palaver tree

他們就會和酋長或族人

with the chiefs or the tribesmen

在談判樹下碰面協商

would be synonymous to trying to find a solution

就如同他們正一起努力

to that particular problem,

去解決那個特定的問題

and also to reinforce trust and respect

這麼做也更加強化

部落之間彼此的信任和尊重

among members of the community.

From the scientific point of view,

從科學的角度來看

there are eight species of baobab in the world.

世界上有八種不同種類的猴麵包樹

There's one from Africa,

一種來自非洲

one from Australia,

一種來自澳洲

and six are endemic

另外六種則是

馬達加斯加島的地方特有種

to the island of Madagascar.

The one I have showed you

我給你們看的這種

is the one from Africa,

是來自非洲的

Adansonia digitata.

叫做非洲猴麵包樹

Now, the flower, this beautiful white flower,

現在這種漂亮的白花

它在夜晚綻放，經由蝙蝠受粉

it opens at night, is pollinated by bats,

and it gives rise to the fruit

最後結出果實

which is curiously known

而很有創意地被稱為

as the monkey apple.

猴蘋果

The monkeys are not stupid animals.

猴子非常聰明

They know what's good for them.

牠們知道這種果實很好吃

Now, if you open the fruit of the baobab,

如果把猴麵包樹的果實打開

you'll see a white, floury pulp,

就會看到白色粉狀的果肉

which is very rich in nutrients

這些果肉非常具有營養價值

and has got protein,

且含有大量蛋白質

more protein than in human milk.

甚至比人奶所含的蛋白質更豐富

Yes, you heard right:

是的，你沒有聽錯

more protein than in human milk.

比人奶所含的蛋白質更豐富

And this is one of the reasons why

這也是為什麼世界上

the nutrition companies of this world,

那些做營養品的公司

they are looking for this fruit to provide

都積極尋找以獲取這類果實

what we know as reinforced food.

以生產所謂的增強性食品

The seeds give an oil, a very stable oil

它的種子還能產出一種穩定的油

which is sought after by the cosmetic industry

這種油可以使用在化妝產業

to give to produce body lotions, for example.

來生產如身體乳液之類的產品

And if you look at the trunk,

再來看看它的樹幹

the trunk, of course, safeguards water,

這種樹幹可以保持水分

which is often harvested by a thirsty traveler,

口渴的旅人常用它來解渴

and the leaves are used in traditional medicine

它的樹葉也能被傳統藥物使用

against infectious disease.

來治療感染疾病

Now, you can see now why the Africans consider it

現在你們可以明白為什麼

非洲人稱它為生命之樹了吧

to be the tree of life.

It's a complete plant,

它是一種完整的植物

and in fact, the sheer size of these trees

而事實上光是這些樹的體型

is hiding a massive potential,

就蘊藏著極大的開發潛力

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

不僅僅在醫療、營養與化妝產業

What I have showed you here

我剛才所介紹給你們的

is only the species from Africa,

是非洲特有品種中的一種：

Adansonia digitata.

非洲猴麵包樹

We have six species yet in Madagascar,

在馬達加斯加島上 還有另外六種猴麵包樹

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

我們還不知道這種植物的潛力

but one thing we know is that the flora

但有一點是確定的

is considered to be threatened with extinction.

那就是這種植物正面臨滅絕

Let me take you to Africa again,

讓我們再次回到非洲

and introduce you to one of my very favorite,

來談我最喜歡的一種植物：

the resurrection plant.

復活花

Now here you'll find

你們會發現

that even Jesus has competition.

就連會復活的耶穌也有競爭對手了

(Laughter)

(笑聲)

Now, this plant here has developed

現在這種植物已經進化

remarkable tolerance to drought,

對乾旱有非常強大的忍受力

which enables it to withstand

這使得它在一年中

up to 98 percent dehydration over the period of a year

可以承受高達 98% 的脫水程度

without damage,

而不至於受到破壞

and yet it can regenerate itself almost completely

而且它還能在一夜間，24 小時後

overnight, over 24 hours, and flower.

幾乎完全地再生並開花

Now, us human beings,

現今我們人類一直在尋找

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

可以永保青春的靈丹

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

的確，誰都不想變老

Why should we, especially if you can afford it?

如果可以永保青春，為何要變老呢

And this gives you an indication

這個是脫水的時候

of what the plant looks like before.

這株植物的樣子

Now, if you are an inexperienced gardener,

如果是你是新手園丁的話

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

當走進花園看到這樣子的植物時

is to uproot this plant because it's dead.

第一反應大概是它已經死了 趕緊拔了它

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

但是如果幫它澆點水 你就會看到這樣的變化

Absolutely amazing.

非常神奇

Now, if you look at our aging process,

現在我們來研究我們衰老的過程

the aging process is in fact the loss of water

其實就是一個上層表皮脫水的過程

from the upper epidermis, resulting in wrinkling

導致皺紋產生

as we know it, especially women,

我們都知道，特別是女性

we are so conscious of this.

我們女生都非常在意皺紋

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

而事實上這種植物

給予化妝品化學家非常重要的原料

very important ingredients

that are actually finding ways

從中正在尋找

to slow down the aging process

能延緩老化過程的方法

and at the same time reinforce the cells

並且同時增強細胞

against the onslaught of environmental toxins.

抵抗外部環境的毒素

Now, these four examples

以上我所介紹的

I have just given you

四個例子

are just a very tiny reminder

還僅僅是一個極小的警示

as to how our health

它們提醒著我們

我們的健康和生存

and our survival are closely linked

是如何與我們生態系的健康和韌性

to the health and the resilience

of our ecosystem,

緊密相連的

and why we should be very careful

也提醒著我們

about preserving biodiversity.

保護生物多樣性的重要性

Every time a forest is cut down,

每當一片森林被砍伐

every time a marsh is filled in,

每當一個濕地被填滿

it is a potential lab that goes with it,

一個潛在的研究領域也就此消失

and which we will never, ever recover.

而我們將再也無法挽回

And I know what I'm talking about,

就如同我所提到

coming from Mauritius and missing the dodo.

模里西斯島所消失的渡渡鳥一樣

Let me finish with just one last example.

在結束之前我再舉一個例子

Conservation issues are normally guided

環境保護議題通常都是

towards rare, endemic plants,

針對稀有、當地特有的物種

but what we call exotic plants,

但那些外來物種

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

也就是分布在世界各地不同的物種

they also need to be considered.

它們同樣值得被保護

You know why? Because the environment plays

為什麼呢？因為環境

a very important role

在改變這種植物成分的過程中

in modifying the composition of that plant.

扮演著非常重要的角色

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

現在我們來看這種植物

Centella asiatica. It's a weed.

崩大碗，它是一種野草

We call it a weed.

我們稱之為積雪草

Now, Centella asiatica grows across the world

它們分布在世界各地

in many different habitats — in Africa, in Asia —

不同的地區，比如非洲、亞洲

and this plant has been instrumental

這種植物在 1940 年代

in providing a solution to that dreadful disease

提供了一種解決方案

called leprosy in Madagascar in the 1940s.

治療馬達加斯加島上致命的痲瘋病

Now, while Centella grows across the world —

儘管積雪草遍布在世界各地

in Africa, in Asia — the best quality Centella

在非洲與亞洲都有 但品質最好的品種

comes from Madagascar,

還是來自馬達加斯加

because that Centella contains the three vital ingredients

因為那種積雪草含有三種重要成分

which are sought after by the pharma

各大醫藥與化妝品公司

and the cosmetic companies.

都在竭力獲取它們

And the cosmetic companies are already using it

一些化妝品公司已經在使用它

to make regenerating cream.

來製造護膚霜

Now, there is an ancient saying

古人有云

that for every disease known to mankind,

世間百病

there is a plant to cure it.

皆有植物作為解藥

Now, you may not believe in ancient sayings.

也許你們可能不相信這些古語

You may think they're obsolete

也許覺得它們是已經過時

now that our science and technology are so powerful.

況且我們當今的科技已經如此發達

So you may look on Centella as being

所以你們可能會把積雪草當成

an insignificant, humble weed,

一種無關緊要、低賤的雜草

which, if destroyed, won't be missed.

即使它滅絕了也無所謂

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

但你必須知道，世上其實沒有野草一說

It's a plant.

它不僅是一株植物

It's a living biological lab

它還是一個活體生物研究實驗室

that may well have answers

在這個實驗室我們可能會找到

to the question that we may have,

解決我們各種問題的答案

but we have to ensure

但是首先，我們必須確保

that it has the right to live.

它們擁有生存的權利

Thank you.

謝謝

(Applause)

(掌聲)