Search Results (7)

Limestone habitats in Southeast Asia often harbour narrowly distributed plant diversity, and several limestone-associated taxa of Boesenbergia require further taxonomic documentation. Field surveys and ex situ observations of living material from Loei Province, northeastern Thailand, revealed a distinctive Boesenbergia population associated with shaded limestone microhabitats. This study evaluates this population using comparative morphology, herbarium and literature comparisons, phenetic analyses based on 25 selected morphological characters, and a preliminary conservation assessment. Boesenbergia lamudiae Boonma, Saensouk & P.Saensouk, sp. nov., is described and illustrated. The species is morphologically most similar to B. burmanica Boonma, P.Saensouk & Saensouk, and resembles B. rotunda sensu lato in having a terminal inflorescence enclosed within the leaf sheaths and lacking an androecial cup. It differs by its broadly elliptic to ovate-elliptic laminae with an arachnoid abaxial surface, maroon lanceolate bracts, longer pubescent calyx with an acute to acuminate apex, non-saccate obovate labellum with a sharply delimited maroon transverse colour zone, larger anther crest, longer epigynous glands, and pubescent ovary. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clustering based on Gower distance separated B. lamudiae from all compared operational units, supporting its morphological distinctiveness. The species is currently known only from Nong Hin District and is provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) under criterion D. Full article

Boesenbergia burmanica Boonma, P.Saensouk & Saensouk, a new species from Naypyidaw Union Territory, Myanmar, is described based on morphological examination of specimens collected during field surveys in 2024–2025. The genus Boesenbergia is taxonomically complex, and ongoing botanical exploration in Southeast Asia continues to reveal undescribed taxa. Comparative analyses of living plants, herbarium materials, and published descriptions were conducted to determine diagnostic features. Boesenbergia burmanica is closely related to B. meghalayensis Aishwarya & M.Sabu but differs in having ovoid, branched rhizomes, a pubescent lamina on both surfaces, and an oblanceolate labellum with bright red markings. It grows in shady, sandy-loam habitats at 140–145 m elevation and flowers from August to September, producing inflorescences with nine to ten flowers. Species of Boesenbergia are traditionally used in Myanmar and neighboring regions as medicinal and ornamental plants, and notes on local ethnobotanical knowledge are provided. The new species exhibits high ornamental potential due to its compact clumping habit and attractive floral coloration. Cultivation guidelines are provided to support ex situ conservation and horticultural development for sustainable use. This discovery increases the number of Boesenbergia species recorded in Myanmar to 14 and highlights the importance of continued field-based taxonomic and conservation research on regional Zingiberaceae diversity. Full article

Curcuma subgenus Hitcheniopsis (Zingiberaceae) comprises species valued for ornamental and medicinal uses in Southeast Asia, yet no comprehensive assessment has been conducted in Vietnam. This study provides the first integrative evaluation of Hitcheniopsis in Vietnam, combining species distribution modeling, field verification, herbarium examination, and Ornamental Value Index (OVI) analysis. Ten species were confirmed, including a new national record, C. rhabdota, with voucher specimens establishing its verified presence and extending the known range. Predicted habitat maps highlighted southern Vietnam and adjacent regions as suitable areas, guiding targeted surveys and conservation planning. Flowering occurred from April to September, with species occupying habitats from deciduous dipterocarp to dry evergreen forests. OVI analysis identified C. rhabdota, C. alismatifolia, and C. thorelii as species of high ornamental potential, supporting their use in horticultural breeding and potted ornamental production. Conservation assessments revealed that the endemic C. leonidii and C. pygmaea are Critically Endangered, C. rhabdota is Vulnerable, and C. sparganiifolia is Endangered, emphasizing the urgency of habitat protection and sustainable management. By linking verified diversity, phenology, ornamental value, and habitat modeling, this study establishes a novel, distribution-based framework for research, conservation, and sustainable use of Curcuma subgenus Hitcheniopsis in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Full article

This study reports seven new records of Curcuma L. (Zingiberaceae) for the flora of Laos: Curcuma comosa Roxb., C. pedicellata (Chaveer. & Mokkamul) Škorničk., C. phrayawan Boonma & Saensouk, C. pierreana Gagnep., C. rangjued Saensouk & Boonma, C. sabhasrii Saensouk, Maknoi, Wongnak & Rakarcha, and C. wanenlueanga Saensouk, Thomudtha & Boonma. Field surveys were conducted across various habitats in Laos, and species identification was confirmed through morphological comparisons with type specimens and protologues. An identification key for Curcuma species in Laos is provided to facilitate future taxonomic studies. Additionally, the lectotypification of C. comosa Roxb. is designated to ensure nomenclatural stability and clarify its taxonomic placement. The discovery of these species expands the known distribution of Curcuma in Indochina and highlights the importance of continued floristic exploration in understudied regions. These findings emphasize the need for biodiversity conservation, particularly in the nnatural habitats where these species occur. Furthermore, some of the newly recorded species exhibit attractive floral characteristics, making them valuable for sustainable horticultural applications, especially in ornamental plant cultivation. This study underscores the significance of taxonomic research in documenting regional flora, supporting conservation efforts, and promoting the sustainable utilization of plant diversity. Full article

This study introduces Curcuma borealis Saensouk, P.Saensouk, and Boonma and C. retrocalcaria Saensouk, P.Saensouk, and Boonma, two newly discovered species within the Curcuma genus of the Zingiberaceae family, found in the Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai Provinces of Northern Thailand, respectively. This research aims to clarify the taxonomic identity of these species, which were initially confused with C. ecomata Craib and C. chantaranothaii Boonma and Saensouk due to similarities in flower coloration and some morphological characteristics, respectively. Detailed morphological analysis was conducted to distinguish these species. Curcuma borealis is differentiated by its unique anthers lacking appendages or projections at the base of the spurs, in contrast to the appendages or projections present in C. ecomata, while C. retrocalcaria is characterized by anther spurs folding or curving backward under the anther base and with two purple patches at the base of the labellum, distinguishing it from C. chantaranothaii. The findings highlight distinct morphological traits that set C. borealis and C. retrocalcaria apart from existing Curcuma species. The pollen morphology of the two new taxa was also studied here for the first time. This research emphasizes the importance of thorough taxonomic scrutiny for accurate species identification and contributes to our understanding of the diversity within the Curcuma genus. Accurate identification of these species is crucial for conservation efforts, underscoring the need to protect their habitats and maintain biodiversity in the region. Full article

The Zingiberaceae family boasts remarkable species diversity, with significant implications for conservation and resource management. The objective of this research is to study the diversity and traditional utilization of Zingiberaceae in Nakhon Nayok Province. Through field observations, herbarium specimens, interviews, and surveys, we documented the species, classified them into tribes, genera, and species, and analyzed their distribution across districts. The findings revealed a rich species diversity, encompassing 155 species from 16 genera and 3 tribes. The tribe Zingibereae displayed the highest species diversity (120 species), followed by Alpinieae (23 species) and Globbeae (12 species). These species were found in diverse ecosystems such as dry evergreen forests, mixed deciduous forests, and more. The study also identified the Mueang district as having the highest species count. Additionally, we explored the traditional utilization of Zingiberaceae plants in Nakhon Nayok Province, which encompasses various purposes including ornamental use, rituals, traditional medicine, and more. This research contributes valuable insights into the ecological and cultural significance of Zingiberaceae plants, identifies endangered species requiring conservation measures, and sheds light on the unique plant diversity and cultural heritage in Nakhon Nayok Province. These findings serve as a valuable resource for conservation efforts, sustainable utilization, and future research. Full article

Zingibereae is a large tribe in the family Zingiberaceae, which contains plants with important medicinal, edible, and ornamental values. Although tribes of Zingiberaceae are well circumscribed, the circumscription of many genera within Zingibereae and the relationships among them remain elusive, especially for the genera of Boesenbergia, Curcuma, Kaempferia and Pyrgophyllum. In this study, we investigated the plastome variation in nine species representing five genera of Zingibereae. All plastomes showed a typical quadripartite structure with lengths ranging from 162,042 bp to 163,539 bp and contained 132–134 genes, consisting of 86–88 coding genes, 38 transfer RNA genes and eight ribosomal RNA genes. Moreover, the characteristics of the long repeats sequences and simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were detected. In addition, we conducted phylogenomic analyses of the Zingibereae and related taxa with plastomes data from additional 32 species from Genbank. Our results confirmed that Stahlianthus is closely related to Curcuma, supporting the idea of merging it into Curcuma. Kaempferia, Boesenbergia and Zingiber were confirmed as close relatives and grouped together as the Kaempferia group. Pyrgophyllum is not allied with the Curcuma clade but instead is embedded within the Hedychium clade. Our results demonstrate the power of plastid phylogenomics in improving the phylogenetic relationships within Zingibereae and provide a new insight into plastome evolution in Zingibereceae. Full article