Additional record of the Black Turmeric Curcuma caesia Roxb. (Zingiberales: Zingiberaceae) in Bhutan

Main Article Content

Karma Orong
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8718-6121
Namgay Shacha
Kezang Tobgay
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6904-4202
Rinchen Namgay
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5380-8666

Abstract

Curcuma caesia Roxb is a perennial, medicinal herb, which is native to northeastern India but can be found in other Asian countries like China, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, and Bangladesh. The plant is used in traditional medicine for treating conditions like leucoderma, asthma, tumours, piles, bronchitis, and bruises. During recent floristic exploration, C. caesia was recorded from Orong Geog of Samdrup Jongkhar district (26.933117 N, 91.493064 E), Bhutan on 10 July 2021 at an elevation of 1,227 m. Identification and morphological description of C. caesia was done through Flora of Bhutan, India (manual) & other literature. The thriving plants were discovered in a warm broadleaved forest close to a settlement, sheltered from grazing and human activities. A detailed description, distribution, habitat information, conservation status, and photographic illustrations are available.

Article Details

Section
Notes
Author Biographies

Karma Orong, Ugyen Wangchuck Institute of Forest Research and Training, Department of Forests & Park Services, Royal Government of Bhutan.

-

Namgay Shacha, Ugyen Wangchuck Institute of Forest Research and Training, Department of Forests & Park Services, Royal Government of Bhutan.

-

Kezang Tobgay, National Biodiversity Center, Royal Government of Bhutan.

-

Rinchen Namgay, Ugyen Wangchuck Institute of Forest Research and Training, Department of Forests & Park Services, Royal Government of Bhutan.

-

References

Apavatjrut, P., S. Anuntalabhochai, P. Sirirugsa & C. Alisi (1999). Molecular markers in the identification of some early flowering Curcuma L. (Zingiberaceae) species. Annals of Botany 84(4): 529–534. https://doi.org/10.1006/anbo.1999.0936 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1006/anbo.1999.0936

Jantan, I.B., A.S. Ahmad, N.A.M. Ali, A.R. Ahmad & H. Ibrahim (1999). Chemical composition of the rhizome oils of four Curcuma species from Malaysia. Journal of Essential Oil Research 11(6): 719–723. https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1999.9712004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1999.9712004

Leong-Škorničková, J., O. Šída & K. Marhold (2010). Back to types towards stability of names in Indian Curcuma L. (Zingiberaceae). Taxon 59(1): 269–282. https://doi.org/10.1002/tax.591025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/tax.591025

Mitra, S. & S.K. Mukherjee (2013). Flora and Ethnobotany of West Dinajpur District, West Bengal. India, Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Deradun, 840 pp.

Noltie, H.J. (1994). Flora of Bhutan: Including a record of plants from Sikkim and Darjeeling. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 496 pp.

Singh, G., O.P. Singh & S. Maurya (2002). Chemical and biocidal investigations on essential oils of some Indian Curcuma species. Progress in Crystal Growth and Characterization of materials 45(1–2): 75–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-8974(02)00030-X DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-8974(02)00030-X

Smith, C.E. (1971). Preparing herbarium specimens of vascular plants (No. 348). Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture 29: 1–13

Most read articles by the same author(s)