Thursday, June 27, 2019

[Botany • 2019] Curcuma saraburiensis (Zingiberaceae) • A New Species from Thailand


Curcuma saraburiensis Boonma & Saensouk

in Boonma & Saensouk, 2019. 
สระบุรีรำลึก ||  tai2.ntu.edu.tw/Taiwania

Abstract
Curcuma saraburiensis sp. nov. (Zingiberaceae), a new species from Saraburi Province, Central Thailand, is described, illustrated and photographed. The dominant characteristics of this species are; the fertile bracts are light green with light pale green or white longitudinal line and 2 white circles patch. Coma bracts; outer glabrous, light green with green longitudinal line alternating with light green or white lines, inner glabrous, white with green edges. Lateral staminodes narrowly oblong, white with 3‒4 red lines (2 red lines in the middle, half of the length of the staminodes and 1‒2 lines found at the edge of the staminodes). Labellum obovate, deep incision up to 9 mm, white with 2 purple patches on ether sides and 4 red lines, 2 lines at each side.

Keyword: Curcuma saraburiensis, New species, Saraburi, Thailand, Zingiberaceae

Fig. 1. Curcuma saraburiensis Boonma & Saensouk;
 A. rhizome; B. habitat and inflorescences; C. closed form of young inflorescence; D. mature inflorescence; E. top view of mature inflorescence; F. flower-side view; G. flower-front view; H. seeds with white arils.

Fig. 2. Curcuma saraburiensis Boonma & Saensouk;
A. dorsal corolla lobe; B. lateral corolla lobes; C. staminodes; D. stamen; E. labellum; F. flower-front view; G. inflorescence; H. bract; I. habit; J. flower-side view (Scale bars: A–E and J = 1 cm; G = 3 cm; H = 2 cm; I =10 cm); Drawn by Thawatphong Boonma.



Curcuma saraburiensis Boonma & Saensouk, sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet of the new species is collected from ‘Saraburi Province’, the first discover place.

 Distribution: Endemic to Thailand, currently found in the type locality (Phra Phutthabat District, Saraburi Province) 

Ecology: Deciduous forest 50‒300 m above sea level. 

Vernacular names: "Saraburi-Rum-Luek - สระบุรีรำลึก” 

DISSCUSION
When comparing all Curcuma L. species reported in previous study by Sirirugsa et al. (2007) and many botanists, the morphology of Curcuma saraburiensis sp. nov. was similar to C. parviflora, C. larsenii and C. rhabdota in some characters but differs in its fertile bracts are light green with light pale green or white longitudinal line and 2 white circles patch. Coma bracts; outer glabrous, light green with green longitudinal line alternating with light green or white lines, inner glabrous, white with green edges. Lateral staminodes narrowly oblong, white with 3-4 red lines. Labellum obovate, deep incision up to 9 mm, white with 2 purple patches on ether sides and 4 red lines, 2 lines at each side. (Table 1 and Figs. 1‒2). 



Thawatphong Boonma and Surapon Saensouk. 2019. Curcuma saraburiensis (Zingiberaceae), A New Species from Thailand. Taiwania. 64(3); 245-248. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2019.64.245