[Botany • 2026] Etlingera cinnabarina, E. funakoshii & E. rigida (Zingiberaceae) • Three New Species from Samar Island, Philippines

 Etlingera rigida Docot;

Etlingera cinnabarina Docot & Ordas;  

Etlingera funakoshii Docot

 in Docot, Ordas, Moran, Zamudio, Romeroso, Tandang et Poulsen, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.3767/blumea.2026.70.02.03 

Abstract  

Botanical field surveys performed in the largest terrestrial protected area in the Philippines, Samar Island Natural Park (SINP), led to the discovery of three new species of Etlingera (Zingiberaceae) herein described. Etlingera cinnabarina sp. nov. can easily be distinguished by its red orange flowers, at least among Philippine species. Etlingera funakoshii sp. nov. was first identified and recorded in the Philippines as Etlingera brevilabrum, but the absence of black patches in the ligule, absence of reddish cloudy patches in the laminae, and 1-2 flowers per flowering shoot makes it a unique species. Etlingera rigida sp. nov. is closely resembling Etlingera pilosa but unique by the sessile leaves, purplish to reddish abaxial side of the lamina and rigid young fertile bracts. Each new species is provided with a detailed description, colour plate, and information on distribution, phenology, and habitat. Etlingera cinnabarina matches the criteria of the IUCN red list as Endangered (EN), whereas E. funakoshii and E. rigida as Critically Endangered (CN), since all three species have narrow distributions and threats in their respective habitats. A key to the Etlingera of Samar Island is also provided.

Keywords: Etlingera brevilabrum; Etlingera pilosa; Etlingera sayapensis; SINP; critically endangered; endangered 

Etlingera cinnabarina Docot & Ordas.
a. Habit. b. Ligule. c Lamina; d. Inflorescence. e. Inflorescence. f. Fertile bract. g. Bracteole. h. Calyx. i. Flower (calyx removed). j. Dorsal corolla lobe. k. Lateral corolla lobes. l. Labellum. m. Stamen (front and back view). n. Epigynous glands. o. Ovary (R.V.A. Docot et al. 357).

Photos by R.V.A. Docot. Scale bars = 1 cm.

Etlingera cinnabarina Docot & Ordas, sp. nov. 

 Similar to Etlingera sayapensis A.D.Poulsen & Ibrahim but differing by the sericeous ligule (vs pubescent); 10–15 mm long petiole (vs 50–70 mm); non-plicate lamina (vs prominently plicate); red orange labellum (vs deep red); lateral lobes of the labellum folded over the stamen forming a 13–16 mm long tube (vs adhering only to the sides of the stamen); and retuse anther crest (vs entire).  

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to its vermilion/red orange corolla lobes and labellum.

Etlingera funakoshii Docot.
a. Habit. b. Ligule. c Inflorescence (top view). d. Inflorescence (side view). e. Inflorescence (detached from the plant). f. Fertile bract. g. Bracteole. h. Calyx. i. Flower (calyx removed). j. Dorsal corolla lobe. k. Lateral corolla lobes. l. Labellum. m. Stamen (front and back view). n. Epigynous gland (front and back view) (S.G.S Zamudio et al. S21−183).

Photos by R.V.A. Docot.

Etlingera funakoshii Docot, sp. nov. 

Similar to Etlingera brevilabrum (Valeton) R.M.Sm. but differing by the glabrous ligule with black patches (vs scabrid without black patches); narrowly ovate lamina without reddish cloudy patches (vs oblong obovate with reddish cloudy patches); 1–2 flowers per flowering shoot (vs 1–6); mid pink corolla lobes (vs red); ecristate anther (vs 3 mm long anther crest); and dark purple stigma (vs dark red or white)  

Etymology. The first author named this species in honour of Dr. Hidenobu Funakoshi, who first saw and documented the species in the type locality. Since the early 2000’s, Dr. Funakoshi continues to share his interest in studying Philippine gingers up to the writing of this paper.

 Etlingera rigida Docot, sp. nov. 

 

Similar to Etlingera pilosa A.D.Poulsen & Docot but differing by the red and truncate apex of the ligule (vs greenish brown and rounded); sessile leaves (vs petiolate); red to greenish red abaxial side of the lamina (vs light green); rigid young fertile bracts (vs soft); pubescent dorsal side of the anther (vs glabrous); and fruit with few small warts near the apex when mature (vs prominently carinated). 

 

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the rigid bracts.

 Docot, R.V.A. ; Ordas, J.A.D. ; Moran, C.B. ; Zamudio, S.G.S. ; Romeroso, R.B. ; Tandang, D.N. ; Poulsen, A.D. 2026. Three New Species of Etlingera (Zingiberaceae) from Samar Island, Philippines. DOI: doi.org/10.3767/blumea.2026.70.02.03 [January 12, 2026]

 facebook.com/HidenobuFunakoshi/posts/25740427845569465

[Botany • 2022] Wurfbainia rubrofasciata (Zingiberaceae) • A New Species from Palawan, Philippines

Wurfbainia rubrofasciata Docot & Domingo, 

in Docot, Domingo, Moran, Camangeg & Poulsen, 2022.    

DOI: 10.36253/jopt-13461

 Researchgate.net/publication/366395650

Abstract

 A ginger species collected in Palawan, Philippines was initially thought to be Wurfbainia palawanensis but differs by the dark brown fertile bracts and red spinose fruits. This species is also morphologically similar to the continental Asian Wurfbainia microcarpa but can be distinguished from this by the entire ligule, petiolate lamina, congested rachis, and presence of red stripes at the base of the labellum. Therefore, we here describe Wurfbainia rubrofasciata providing colour plates, data on phenology, distribution, habitat, and a provisional conservation assessment. A key to five species of Wurfbainia in the Philippines is provided and we discuss the likely closest relatives of Wurfbainia palawanensis. 

Keywords: Amomum s.l., endemic, endangered, taxonomy, Wurfbainia.

Wurfbainia rubrofasciata Docot & Domingo
 (A) Habit. (B) Ligule. (C) Inflorescence and infructescence. (D) Inflorescence showing different angle of the flowers. (E) Infructescence. (F) Floral dissection. (G) Stamen at different views. (notice the white arrow pointing a lateral staminode).

Based from C.B.M. Domingo & R.V.A. Docot PL18-006 (type). 

Abbreviations: br: bracteole; ca: calyx tube; dc: dorsal corolla lobe; fb: fertile bract; fl: flower; inf: inflorescence; la: labellum; lc: lateral corolla lobes; ov: ovary with epigynous glands on the top.

 Scale bars = 1 cm. (Photographs by R.V.A. Docot).

Wurfbainia rubrofasciata Docot & Domingo, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Wurfbainia rubrofasciata is morphologically similar to W. microcarpa (C.F.Liang & D.Fang) Skornick. & A.D.Poulsen in having white flowers with a clawed and saccate labellum but differs in the entire ligule (vs emarginate to bilobed), 7−11 mm long petiole (vs < 2 mm); 2−4 flowers open at a time (vs 1−2); congested rachis (vs elongated); white calyx tube and corolla lobes (vs white to red), presence of 10−12 red stripes at the base of the labellum (vs minute red dots) and ovate and petaloid lateral lobes of the anther crest (vs oblong and fleshy).

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the red stripes at the base of the labellum.

Rudolph Valentino A. Docot, Carl Bryan M. Domingo, Cecilia B. Moran, Lea M. Camangeg and Axel Dalberg Poulsen. 2022. Wurfbainia rubrofasciata (Zingiberaceae), A New Species from Palawan, Philippines. Webbia. Journal of Plant Taxonomy and Geography.  77(2); 277-283. DOI: 10.36253/jopt-13461 

Researchgate.net/publication/366395650_Wurfbainia_rubrofasciata_a_new_species_from_Palawan_Philippines

[Botany • 2021] Hornstedtia olivacea (Zingiberaceae) • Taxonomic Notes on Philippine Hornstedtia including A Description of A New Species from Luzon, Philippines

Hornstedtia olivacea Docot & Pranada, 

 in Docot, Pranada & Mendez, 2021.

Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 73(2)

DOI: 10.26492/gbs73(2).2021-11

  Researchgate.net/publication/356961668 

ABSTRACT

 A new species, Hornstedtia olivacea Docot & Pranada, from the province of Quezon, Philippines is described here with information on its distribution, habitat and phenology, along with a provisional IUCN conservation assessment. A second-step lectotypification of Hornstedtia conoidea Ridl. is proposed and a previous lectotypification of Hornstedtia microcheila Ridl. is clarified. Examination of the collection Ramos & Edaño 44454 supports the occurrence of Hornstedtia havilandii (K.Schum.) K.Schum. in the Philippines but new material is needed to check if the populations in the province of Sulu are distinct enough from the populations in Borneo to be recognised as a distinct taxon. An updated key to the Hornstedtia species of the Philippines is also provided. 

Keywords. Critically endangered, endemic, Hornstedtia conoidea, Hornstedtia havilandii, Hornstedtia microcheila, lectotypification

Hornstedtia olivacea Docot & Pranada.
A. Habit. B. Ligule. Insets: base of the lamina (front and back view). C. Inflorescence. D. Fruit from spirit material. E. Floral parts.

Abbreviations: br, bracteoles; ca, calyx tube; dc, dorsal corolla lobe; eg, epigynous glands; fb, fertile bract; inf, inflorescence; la, labellum; lc, lateral corolla lobes; ls, lateral staminodes; ov, ovary; sb, sterile bract; st, stamen.

 All from the type M.A.K. Pranada 2. (Photos: M.A.K. Pranada)

Hornstedtia olivacea Docot & Pranada, sp. nov.

 Similar to Hornstedtia microcheila Ridl. but differs in the generally longer petiole (1.5−3 cm vs 1−2 cm long in H. microcheila), shape and margin of the lamina (linear and undulate vs narrowly elliptic and plane), colour and apex of the sterile bract (olive green and mucronate vs red and acute), number of flowers open at anthesis (1 only vs 1 or 2), colour of the corolla lobes (red vs white), colour of the base of the labellum (red vs yellow), and presence of petaloid lateral staminodes.

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the olive-green sterile bracts.

Taxonomic notes on Philippine Hornstedtia 

• Hornstedtia conoidea Ridl., Leafl. Philipp. Bot. 2: 605 (1909). 
• Hornstedtia havilandii (K.Schum.) K.Schum., Pflanzenr. IV, 46 (Heft 20): 193 (1904).
• Hornstedtia microcheila Ridl., Leafl. Philipp. Bot. 2: 606 (1909).
• H. crispata
• H. garbosa
• H. lophophora
• H. annadeguzmaniae  

Rudolph Valentino Abrenica Docot, Mc Andrew Pranada and Noe Mendez. 2021. Taxonomic Notes on Philippine Hornstedtia (Zingiberaceae) including A Description of A New Species. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 73(2); 413 - 423. DOI: 10.26492/gbs73(2).2021-11 

  Researchgate.net/publication/356961668_Taxonomic_notes_on_Philippine_Hornstedtia