CURCUMA RANGSIMAE 2021

Described at the same time as fve other species in this genus, the classifcation of Curcuma rangsimae as a new species brings the total number in this genus present in Thailand to 63 species. The genus is one of the largest in its family, and is found in India, south China, Southeast Asia and northern Australia. All six new species described in 2021 are endemic to Thailand.

Very similar to C. vetellina, C. rangsimae has more narrowly elliptic leaves, a longer and thicker spike, and conical spurs instead of flamentous ones. It is found in Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi , Prachin Buri, Chachoengsao and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces. Its common name in Thai languages means “yellow sapphire” in reference to its yellow fowers. These fowers can be seen in the rainy season between June and September in deciduous forests where it occurs.

It is also popularly used as a sacred ornamental plant, with the fowers and sometimes whole plants being preserved in sandalwood oil to bring the collector beauty, charisma, popularity and a good reputation. Unfortunately, due to this market demand, it is often illegally harvested from the forest. In combination with the impact of habitat loss and natural drought, this led the researchers to suggest an IUCN classifcation of Vulnerable, but with a warning that without proper protection, it could easily become critically endangered or even extinct.

Its scientifc name comes from Rungsima Tantalakha, an important plant taxonomist in Thailand.

Saensouk, S., Boonma, T. and Saensouk, P. (2021). Six new species and a new record of Curcuma L. (Zingiberaceae) from Thailand.

Biodiversitas, Journal of Biological Diversity 22: 1658-1685. doi. org/10.13057/biodiv/d220410