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| Curcuma fibrifera Boonma, D.D.Nguyen, P.Saensouk & Saensouk, in P. Saensouk, S. Saensouk, Tuan, Sy, Taesuk, Nguyen, Phimpha et Boonma, 2026. Taiwania. 71(1); Nghệ Sợi Trắng || taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2149 |
Abstract
Knowledge of the diversity of Curcuma species in mainland Southeast Asia remains incomplete, and Vietnam is no exception. To address this gap, we conducted extensive field surveys throughout the country to document native taxa and clarify previously uncertain records. As a result of these efforts, we described and illustrated a new species, Curcuma fibrifera Boonma, D.D.Nguyen, Saensouk & P.Saensouk. In addition, we confirm the presence of three further species, C. comosa Roxb., C. petiolata Roxb., and C. phrayawan Boonma & Saensouk, in Vietnam for the first time, and we correct the prior misidentifications. To complement the taxonomic findings, we applied species distribution modeling to evaluate both current and future suitable habitats for these taxa under low- and high-emission climate scenarios. The inclusion of these species raises the total number of Curcuma subgenus Curcuma in Vietnam to 16, though actual diversity may still be underestimated. Full taxonomic accounts are provided for the new species and newly verified records, covering morphological descriptions, distribution, habitat preferences, phenology, taxonomic affinities, traditional uses, and conservation status. This study contributes a more comprehensive account of Curcuma diversity in Vietnam, supports conservation planning, and identifies priorities for further taxonomic and ecological investigations.
Keyword: Conservation, Curcuma comosa, Curcuma fibrifera, Curcuma petiolate, Curcuma phrayawan, Indochina, Zingibereae
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| Curcuma fibrifera Boonma, D.D.Nguyen, P.Saensouk & Saensouk. A. Front view of flower. B. Side view of anther with floral tube. C. Front view of anther with dissected floral tube to show the epigynous glands. D. Dorsal corolla lobe E. Lateral corolla lobes. F. Lateral staminodes. G. Labellum. H. Dissected calyx. I. Side view of flower. J. Fertile bract. K. Habit. L. Cincinnus with flower and young buds. Photos by Thawatphong Boonma. |
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| Curcuma fibrifera Boonma, D.D.Nguyen, P.Saensouk & Saensouk. A. Dissection of branches rhizome, and fibrous threads visible when broken apart of branches rhizome. B. Habits. C. Semi-top view of inflorescences. D. Side view of inflorescence with flowers. E. Dorsal corolla lobe. F. Lateral corolla lobes. G. Cincinnus with flower and young buds. H. Side view of flower. I. Lateral staminodes. J. Labellum. K. Side view of anther with floral tube. L. Front view of anther with dissected floral tube to show the epigynous glands. M. Front view of flower. Photos by Thawatphong Boonma. |
Curcuma fibrifera Boonma, D.D.Nguyen, P.Saensouk & Saensouk, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Curcuma fibrifera is similar to C. wanenlueanga Saensouk, Thomudtha & Boonma (Saensouk et al., 2021c, 2025b) in having terminal inflorescences, coma bracts, epigynous glands, spurred anthers, and flowers of the gullet type, but differs in having rhizomes ovoid to subglobose, 3–4 × 3–4 cm, ivory to cream (vs. ovoid, 5–9 × 3–5 cm, yellow); branches rhizome internal ivory with cream core, fibrous threads visible when broken (vs. yellow with darker yellow core, no fibrous threads when broken); leafy shoot 60–85 cm tall (vs. 100–150 cm); leaf sheaths 15–32 cm long (vs. 10–60 cm); petiole 5–13 cm long, green (vs. 15– 35 cm long, green with reddish tinge); lamina lanceolate to elliptic, 28–45 × 8–14 cm, base cuneate to rounded, midrib green (vs. narrowly lanceolate, 50–70 × 15–18 cm, base attenuate, midrib reddish-purple, fading with age); peduncle 20–24 cm long (vs. 30–40 cm); lateral staminodes asymmetrical ovate, apex obtuse to acute, 1.4–1.6 × 1.0 cm (vs. irregularly obovate, apex rounded, 1.3–1.4 × 0.7–0.8 cm); filament 3.2–3.5 mm long (vs. ca. 4 mm); anther spurs narrowly conical, ca. 1.5 mm, curved inward (vs. ca. 4 mm, pointing downward); and ovary oblate, 3–4 × 2 mm (vs. subglobose, ca. 3 × 3 mm).
Etymology: The specific epithet “fibrifera” is derived from the Latin words fibra meaning “fiber” and fero, ferre meaning “to bear, to produce, to carry.” Thus, fibrifera means “bearing fibers” or “producing fibers,” in reference to the characteristic fibrous threads that appear when the branches rhizome is broken, resembling the breaking of the petioles of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.
Piyaporn Saensouk, Surapon Saensouk, Nguyen Hoang Tuan, Vo Van Sy, Nonthiwat Taesuk, Danh Duc Nguyen, Suriya Phimpha and Thawatphong Boonma. 2026. A New Species and three new records of Curcuma subgenus Curcuma (Zingiberaceae) for Vietnam with notes on their traditional utilization and conservation status. Taiwania. 71(1); 83-100 DOI: 10.6165/tai.2026.71.83 [2026 January 12]
