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| Curcuma pulcherrima Boonma, Saensouk & P. Saensouk, in Saensouk, Boonma & Saensouk, 2022. |
Abstract
Curcuma pulcherrima Boonma, Saensouk & P. Saensouk sp. nov. (Zingiberaceae: Zingibereae, belonging to Curcuma subgenus Ecomata) distributed in Ubon Ratchathani Province, the eastern part of Thailand. The morphological characteristic of this species causes it to fall into Curcuma subgenus Ecomata due to the presence of epigynous glands, lack of coma bracts, bracts fused only at the base, and production of open-form flowers. Furthermore, this species is similar to Curcuma pierreana Gagnep., due to its similar color flowers with a pink tinge, but lighter (vs. C. pierreana maroon tip), and similar to Curcuma siamensis Saensouk & Boonma due to its characteristics of the anther and spurs. Nevertheless, after careful morphological examination and comparison of all allied species in the Curcuma genus, especially in subgenus Ecomata, it was found that this plant did not match any existing species. Therefore, we describe it here as a new species to science with the name of Curcuma pulcherrima, according to this species's very beautiful inflorescences and flowers. In contrast, its morphological characteristics description, illustrations, vernacular name, ecology, phenology, distribution, utilization, conservation status, map of distribution, and comparison table of the new species and its ally species, including a revised key to the species of Curcuma subgenus Ecomata are provided.
Keywords: Curcuma pierreana, C. siamensis, taxonomy, Ubon Ratchathani, Zingiberales
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| Curcuma pulcherrima Boonma, Saensouk & P. Saensouk sp. nov. (A) side and front views of anther with filament, (B) side view of flower, (C) dorsal corolla lobe, (D) lateral corolla lobe, (E) lateral staminode, (F) labellum, (G) habit, (H) front view of stigma, (I) epigynous glands with ovary, (J) calyx, and (K) bract. Drawn by Thawatphong Boonma |
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| Curcuma pulcherrima Boonma, Saensouk & P. Saensouk sp. nov. (A) young inflorescence in side view, (B) side view of mature inflorescence with flowers, (C) front view of flowers to show a front view of the anther, (D) side view of inflorescence with flowers to show green bracts variant, (E) adaxially side of lamina green with red patch along the midrib, (F) abaxial side of lamina reddish with green midrib. |
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| Curcuma pulcherrima Boonma, Saensouk & P. Saensouk sp. nov. (A) young inflorescence in side view, (B) side view of mature inflorescence with flowers, (C) front view of flowers to show a front view of the anther, (D) side view of inflorescence with flowers to show green bracts variant, (E) adaxially side of lamina green with red patch along the midrib, (F) abaxial side of lamina reddish with green midrib, (G) C. cochinchinensis Gagnep., (H) C. siamensis Saensouk & Boonma, and (I) C. pierreana Gagnep. Photographs A-F by Anuphong Sukpheng; G-I, and figures designed by Thawatphong Boonma |
Curcuma pulcherrima Boonma, Saensouk & P. Saensouk sp. nov.
The new species is similar to C. siamensis but different in having pubescent sheathing bracts, leaf-sheaths, petiole, peduncle, and ovary (vs. C. siamensis has glabrous), ligule 5-8 mm long (vs. 3-4 mm long), leaf blade with base cuneate to slightly rounded, abaxially tinged with various shades of brownish-red, glabrous except hairy at margin, tip, and sparsely hairy at midrib (vs. base attenuate, abaxially pale green, glabrous on both sides), floral tube3.6-3.8 cm long, white (vs. 3.28-3.3 cm long, pale yellow),lateral staminodes asymmetrical narrowly elliptic, apex acute, margin slightly undulate, white with pinkish tinge, inner side with pale yellow middle line along mid lobe from base to about 1/3 of length of staminodes, outer white with pinkish tinge, and white midrib (vs. uniquely obovate-rhombic, apex obtuse, margin entire, yellow at base gradually fading to whitish-yellow at margin and distal part or with various shades of pale yellow on both sides),labellum obovate (vs. ovate-trullate), epigynous glands 7.0-7.2 mm long (vs. 4.2 mm long), and ovary ellipsoid (vs. obovoid).
Etymology: The specific epithet name "pulcherrima" is a Latin word meaning "prettiest" referring to its spectacular and sweet-smelling flowers and inflorescences.
ว่านมหาอุดม
Piyaporn Saensouk, Thawatphong Boonma and Surapon Saensouk. 2022. Curcuma pulcherrima (Zingiberaceae), A New Rare Species of Curcuma subgen. Ecomata from eastern Thailand. Biodiversitas. 23: 6635-6644. DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d231262
