Kaempferia lopburiensis (Zingiberaceae), a New Species from Central Thailand

Abstract

A new species of Kaempferia L. (Zingiberaceae) from Central Thailand, K.lopburiensis, is described and illustrated. This new species belongs to the K. rotunda group (inflorescences on separated shoots arising from the rhizomes and appearing before pseudostems) and can be easily recognized by its 2-3 large orbicular leaves, red broadly-triangular and hairy ligules with obtuse or rounded apices, and rectangular or broadly obovate anther crests with tridentate to crenate apices. Relationship with its closely related taxon, K. grandifolia Saensouk & Jenjitt., is also discussed.