Boesenbergia ashihoi (Zingiberaceae), a new species from northeast India

Abstract

A new species of Boesenbergia, B. ashihoi Suparna, Sameer Patil & V.Deepu is described from Lumdiengsai, Meghalaya, India. Boesenbergia ashihoi resembles B. siphonantha (King ex Baker) M.Sabu, Prasanthk. & Škornick. and B. tillandsiodes (Baker) Kuntze in bearing a small globular rhizome, long‐petioled leaves, horn‐like spike and anther connectives without crest, but differs in having elliptic leaves (versus oblong‐lanceolate), bracteoles much shorter than bracts (versus almost equalling bracts), labellum orbicular with orangish throat (versus ovate to obovate or cuneate with reddish or yellowish throat), and corolla tube 9–10 cm long (versus 1–6 cm long). The new species is described and illustrated in detail. A key to species of Boesenbergia in India is provided.