Two new species of Gingers (Zingiberaceae) from Myanmar

Abstract Two new species of gingers (Zingiberaceae), Globba sherwoodiana W.J. Kress & V. Gowda sp. nov., and Curcuma arracanensis W.J. Kress & V. Gowda sp. nov., from Myanmar are described. The new species of Globba is currently only known in cultivation and is commonly grown and sold in markets in Myanmar. In contrast Curcuma arracanensis has been collected from a single restricted region in the cloud forests of the Rakhine Yoma above the Bay of Bengal in western Myanmar. Three-locus DNA barcodes were generated as aids for the identification of the two new species.


Introduction
A recent surge of interest in the taxonomy and classification of the family Zingiberaceae (Kress et al. 2002 as well as significant efforts at field exploration in Southeast Asia have resulted in the discovery and description of a plethora of new species and genera of gingers (e.g., Kress et al. 2010, Leong-Škorničková et al. 2011. The abundance of gingers in the understory of evergreen and monsoonal forests and the common uses of gingers as spices, medicines, and ornamentals has led to new discoveries in both natural environments (Kress et al. 2010) as well as the marketplace Larsen 2001, Kress andHtun 2003). Here we describe two new species from Myanmar, one found on the top of a ridge in pristine cloud forest and the other as a common offering in Buddhist ceremonies and temples.
Distribution. At present this species is only known in cultivation in Myanmar where it is commonly sold in the markets and used as an offering in Buddhist ceremonies. However, it is suspected that wild populations are present in the border region between Myanmar and Thailand.
Ecology. The closest relatives of this species (see relationships) inhabit the understory of monsoon forests. We suspect that the same is true for Globba sherwoodiana.
Etymology. This splendid and magnificent species of Globba is named in honor of Dr. Shirley Sherwood, a great lover of plants and a patron of contemporary botanical art. Her support of botanical research in Myanmar is greatly appreciated.
Common name. The local name for this species, "Padein Gno," means "weeping goldsmith" in the Burmese language. It is said that local goldsmiths in Myanmar weep when they see this flower because no matter how hard they try, they are unable to capture in gold metal the beauty and simplicity of the individual parts of the flower (see Kress 2009).
Conservation status. Because this species is commonly cultivated it is in no danger or threat of extinction. However, the lack of known natural populations may sug-gest that this cultivated species may have low levels of genetic diversity. Genetic studies will provide a better understanding of the conservation status of this species.
Relationships. Globba sherwoodiana was included in the molecular phylogenetic analysis of Williams et al. (labeled as Globba "magnifica";2004). Using DNA sequence data from matK and ITS, they showed that this species is a member of Sect. G. laeta K.Larsen, G. bulbifera Roxb., G. schomburgkii Hook. f., G. globulifera Gagnep., G. adhaerens Gagnep., G. marantina L., and G. winitii C.H.Wright. Several species in this section have large conspicuous inflorescence bracts similar to those characterizing G. sherwoodiana.

Curcuma arracanensis
Distribution. This species is known only from the area around the type locality in Rakhine State, Myanmar.
Ecology. Unlike many species of Curcuma, which are found in the understory of seasonally dry monsoonal forests, C. arracanensis inhabits open areas in evergreen cloud forest.
Etymology. This species is named for the region formerly known as Arrakan, an earlier name for today's Rakhine State in Myanmar.
Common name. The local name for this species is "Tauk tar phu" in the Burmese language.
Conservation status. Because this species is only known from a single locality in Myanmar and the habitat in which it is found is steadily declining due to deforestation, we categorize it as critically endangered under criteria B and D following the IUCN guidelines (IUCN Standards and Petitions Subcommittee 2011).
Relationships. The relationship of Curcuma arracanensis to other members of the genus is not known at present. The anther shape is similar to that found in C. petiolata Roxb (distributed from India to Malaysia including Thailand) and may suggest evolutionary affinities to species allied to this taxon. Further molecular and morphological analyses are needed to determine more precise relationships.