Two scientists Vinita Gowda and Ritu Yadav, from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (MP) have discovered six new ginger species in West Bengal (WB), Meghalaya and Mizoram.
- The species are Globba corniculata, Globba paschimbengalensis, Globba polymorpha, Globba tyrnaensis, Globba janakiae, and Globba yadaviana.
- These species are often referred to as dancing girls, dancing lady ginger’, weeping goldsmith, snowball, Singapore gold, white dragon, and ruby queen.
Research details:
i.The new species were discovered during floristic surveys in Eastern India in 2022.
ii.The research details were found in the latest edition of PhytoKeys, a peer-reviewed international botanical journal.
Key Points:
i.These species belong to the genus ‘Globba’, which is known for its ornamental beauty.
ii.Globba is the fourth-largest in the ginger family, with approximately 136 species.
About the species:
i.Globba tyrnaensis: It was discovered in Meghalaya and was named after Tyrna, a village in East Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya, where the species was discovered on a double-decker living root bridge.
- It has been informally classified as endangered, according to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines.
ii.Globba janakiae: It was discovered in Meghalaya and was named after E.K. Janaki Ammal, a pioneering botanist.
iii.Globba yadaviana: It was discovered in Mamit district, Mizoram and was named in honour of the late Rajesh Yadav, the father of lead author Ritu Yadav.
iv.Globba polymorpha: It was discovered in WB and has derived its name from the variation in the colours of the bracteole (a secondary bract of a flower) within the species population.
v.Globba corniculata: It was also discovered in WB and has derived its name from the horn-shaped structure at the base of the labellum, the central part of the flower in ginger that acts as a landing platform for pollinators.
vi.Globba paschimbengalensis: It was discovered in West Bengal and named after West Bengal.
Curcuma ungmensis : New Curcuma Species Discovered in Nagaland
Researchers have discovered a new species of Curcuma named ‘Curcuma ungmensis’ in Nagaland.
- The detailed research findings were published in the international journal Phytotaxa.
Research details:
i. Mamiyil Sabu and V.S. Hareesh of the Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute for Plant Sciences, Kozhikode, Kerala, and P. Tiatemsu of the Department of Botany, Fazl Ali College, Nagaland have discovered the species.
ii.It was discovered during a field trip in Nagaland as part of the INSA Senior Scientist programme in September 2023.
Key Points:
i.Curcuma ungmensis is a rhizomatous herb, belonging to the genus Curcuma (the ginger family Zingiberaceae).
ii.It stands 65 to 90 cm high with prominent yellow flowers at full growth.
iii.Curcuma is one of the most significant and largest genera in this plant family, with the best-known varieties being turmeric (Curcuma longa), black turmeric (Curcuma caesia), and mango ginger (Curcuma amada).
iv.It is widely distributed in south and southeast Asia and south China.
About Meghalaya:
Chief Minister (CM) – Conrad Kongkal Sangma
Governor – Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar
National Parks – Balphakram National Park, Nokrek Ridge National Park
Wildlife Sanctuaries – Baghmara Pitcher Plant Wildlife Sanctuary, Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary
About Nagaland:
Chief Minister (CM) – Neiphiu Rio
Governor – La Ganesan Iyer
Wildlife Sanctuary – Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary
Airports – Dimapur Airport
