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| Curcuma corallina N.S.Lý & Škorničk. in Phan, Nguyễn, Cao, Lý et Leong-Škorničková, 2025. |
ABSTRACT
Curcuma corallina N.S.Lý & Škorničk., a new ginger species discovered in the south-central region of Vietnam, is described here with colour plates and notes on its distribution, habitat, phenology, etymology, and a preliminary IUCN conservation assessment. It is placed in Curcuma subg. Ecomatae Škorničk. & Šída f. and, for diagnostic purposes, is compared to C. rhomba Mood & K.Larsen, which is superficially similar in overall plant habit, a lack of bracteoles, and flower colour, but differs in rhizome structure, and the shape, size and colour of various floral parts.
Keywords. Curcuma rhomba, Curcuma subgenus Ecomatae, deciduous forest, endemic species, monocots, Zingibereae
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| Curcuma corallina N.S.Lý & Škorničk. A. Flowering plant in natural habit. B. Inflorescence (top view). C. Flowers (front view). D. Basal part of a flowering plant showing rhizome with root tubers, pseudostem with leaf sheaths and petioles, and inflorescences. All from the type collection, Lý-1916. (Photos: A, B, N.G. Cao; C, D, N.S. Lý) |
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| Curcuma corallina N.S.Lý & Škorničk. A. Flowering plant. B. Rhizome with root tubers. C. Leaf (abaxial view). D. Ligules from a flowering plant (left) and a young plant (right). E. Inflorescence. F. Fertile bracts. G. Stamen in front, back and side views. H. A bract from the middle part of the thyrse supporting two flowers followed by the flower dissection: dorsal corolla lobe, lateral staminodes, lateral corolla lobes and labellum, calyx, floral tube with ovary and stamen attached, longitudinal dissection of floral tube, and ovary and epigynous glands. All from the type collection, Lý-1916. (Photos: A, D, N.G. Cao; B, C, E–H, N.S. Lý) |
Curcuma corallina N.S.Lý & Škorničk., sp. nov.
Resembles C. rhomba Mood & K.Larsen in its overall plant habit, lack of bracteoles, flower colour, and anther shape, but differs in having a much-branched rhizome (vs rhizome unbranched, except a single branch leading to a new shoot); coral pink and larger corolla lobes (dorsal 23–36 × 8–13 mm, lateral 21–24 × 8–11 mm vs dorsal c. 19 × 5 mm, lateral c. 18 × 4 mm, all rich red); a larger, broadly obovate labellum (19–24 × 16–21 mm) with a bluntly bilobed apex and an incision not exceeding one-third the length of the labellum (vs labellum c. 17 × 9 mm, narrowly rhomboid with a sharply bilobed apex and incision extending beyond half the length of the labellum); larger, broadly ovate staminodes (18–26 × 14–20 mm) that are rich orange with a paler base (vs c. 17 × 11 mm, narrowly rhomboid, uniformly orange with dark red dots at the base); and a shorter, truncate to slightly emarginate anther crest c. 0.5 mm long, not exceeding the stigma (vs rounded crest c. 1 mm long, exceeding the stigma).
– TYPE: Vietnam, Ninh Thuan Province [now Khan Hoa Province], Bac Ai District, Phuoc Binh Commune, Phuoc Binh National Park [now Nui Chua-Phuoc Binh NP], ...
Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from Latin ‘corallinus’ and refers to the
coral pink bracts and corolla lobes of the new species.
Proposed vernacular name and uses. Nghệ hồng san hô, Nghệ san hô (Vietnamese;
coral pink turmeric). No uses were so far reported by the local people.
Phan, N.M., Nguyễn, A.T., Cao, N.G., Lý, N.S. & Leong-Škorničková, J. 2025. Curcuma corallina (Zingiberaceae: Zingiberoideae), A New Species from south-central Vietnam. Gard. Bull. Singapore. 77(2); 249 - 258.
