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| Curcuma ignea Ruchis. & Jenjitt., in Ruchisansakun et Jenjittikul, 2023. |
Abstract
Curcuma ignea Ruchis. & Jenjitt., a new species in Curcuma subg. Ecomatae from Thailand, is described here. This species is distinct from others by the combination of open flowers and L-shaped anthers. It is most similar to Curcuma glans but differs by having anther spurs pointing outwards (vs divergent), remotely pilose corolla lobes (vs glabrous), and vivid red, green, to white bracts (vs pale green to green, with red veins). It is assessed as Endangered using IUCN categories and criteria.
Keywords: Curcuma glans, L-shaped anther, Southeast Asia, subgenus Ecomatae
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| Curcuma ignea Ruchis. & Jenjitt., sp. nov. A, Inflorescence; B, habit in habitat; C, rhizome and tuberous roots. All photographs of Ruchisansakun & Thawara 1359 (SLR), taken by Saroj Ruchisansakun. |
Curcuma ignea Ruchis. & Jenjitt., sp. nov.
Similar to Curcuma glans K.Larsen & Mood but differs by having anther spurs pointing outwards (vs anther spurs divergent), remotely pilose corolla lobes (vs glabrous corolla lobes), and vivid red, green to white bracts (vs pale green to green, with red-veined bracts).
Etymology. The specific epithet, ignea, means ‘fiery’, referring to the vivid red-bracted inflorescence in the most common form of this species.
Vernacular name. Krachiao fai (กระเจียวไฟ) means ‘fire siam tulip’ and is proposed by the authors.
S. Ruchisansakun and T. Jenjittikul. 2023. Curcuma ignea (Zingiberaceae), A spectacular New Species from Thailand. Edinburgh Journal of Botany. 80 DOI: 10.24823/ejb.2023.1959
