Thawatphong Boonma

Zingiber isanense and Z. baumii were originally distinguished by characters of uncertain stability across natural populations. We reassessed their relationship through field observations, herbarium and protologue comparisons, and phenetic analyses of 32 morphological characters from 180 flowering individuals in six northeastern Thai populations. Matching leaf blade width, corolla color, and labellum color to the original descriptions classified 54 OTUs as Z. isanense-like, 20 as Z. baumii-like, and 106 as intermediate (an operational category). Among Z. baumii-like OTUs, reddish labellum markings were present in 14, bright-yellow lateral staminodes in nine, and both states in seven; these features also occurred in other profiles. Phenetic analyses showed partial differentiation but no exclusive Z. baumii-like assemblage. Combined with type-associated comparisons, these findings support a broader morphological circumscription of Z. isanense and the proposed heterotypic synonymy of Z. baumii. Verified records from Thailand and southern Laos yielded an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 15,076.45 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 44 km². The corresponding Thailand-only estimates were 8173.961 km² and 36 km², respectively. Fewer than 50 reproductively mature individuals were recorded at each of the six surveyed Thai localities. Assuming comparably small populations at additional known localities, Vulnerable (VU D1) is provisionally proposed at the national level in Thailand. Insufficient population data from Laos preclude a comprehensive range-wide conservation assessment.

Verbenaceae are prominent components of cultivated and human-influenced landscapes, yet their taxonomic and horticultural diversity and relationships with local plant knowledge remain poorly documented in Buri Ram Province, Thailand. This study provides an integrated province-wide assessment of Verbenaceae across all 23 districts, combining voucher-based taxonomy and ecological occurrence with community recognition, utilization, cultural importance, and vernacular nomenclature. Field surveys and interviews with 460 informants documented 16 taxa in eight genera, including species, an interspecific hybrid, named cultivars, and horticultural variants. Regarding their biogeographical status in Thailand, 15 recorded taxa were classified as introduced, whereas Phyla nodiflora was the only native taxon. Ornamental use dominated, accounting for 1370 of 1405 use reports, whereas medicinal uses were recorded only for P. nodiflora and Stachytarpheta jamaicensis. Twenty-two unique vernacular names, including Thai and Thai-Khmer forms, frequently reflected morphological or sensory characteristics and horticultural terminology. Recognition, reported utilization, and vernacular differentiation did not necessarily correspond with taxonomic or horticultural diversity. By integrating voucher-based botanical documentation with horticultural diversity and community-derived knowledge, this study complements conventional floristic approaches and provides baseline evidence for understanding plant diversity and human–plant relationships in Southeast Asian community landscapes.

Curcuma subgen. Ecomatae comprises several morphologically similar taxa whose delimitation requires careful evaluation of character combinations and intraspecific variation. Botanical surveys across Southwestern Thailand revealed six geographically separated populations of an unidentified Curcuma in Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces. Taxonomic status was evaluated through detailed comparative morphology and complementary individual-level phenetic analyses of 42 morphological characters using Gower distances, UPGMA clustering, and principal coordinates analysis (PCoA). The analyses comprised a population-level assessment of 120 individuals from six populations and an interspecific comparison of 200 individuals, including the same 120 individuals of the putative new taxon and 20 individuals each of four morphologically allied species. The populations are recognized here as a distinct species, Curcuma tenasserimensis Boonma, Saensouk & P.Saensouk, sp. nov., based on a consistent combination of vegetative, inflorescence, floral, and reproductive characters that distinguishes them from the morphologically allied species examined. The population-level analysis revealed morphological variation among the six geographically separated populations while retaining their overall morphological cohesion. In the interspecific analysis, individuals of C. tenasserimensis formed an overall morphologically cohesive assemblage that was differentiated from the four allied species examined. Together, comparative morphology and individual-level phenetic analyses are consistent with the recognition of C. tenasserimensis as a morphologically distinct species and further document the still-emerging diversity of subgen. Ecomatae in Southwestern Thailand.

Continued botanical exploration in previously insufficiently surveyed areas of Saraburi Province, Central Thailand, revealed an undescribed member of Curcuma subgen. Hitcheniopsis. This study aimed to formally describe the taxon, assess its morphological distinctiveness, evaluate its phenetic relationships, and provide a preliminary conservation assessment. Morphological observations were based on living and freshly collected material, herbarium specimens, protologues, and comparative taxonomic sources. Phenetic relationships among 11 taxa were assessed using 34 morphological characters, the Gower coefficient, UPGMA clustering, and principal coordinates analysis (PCoA). The new species, Curcuma koonmeeana Saensouk, P.Saensouk & Boonma, is distinguished from morphologically allied taxa by a unique combination of fertile-bract architecture, poorly developed coma bracts, well-exserted flowers, labellum morphology and indumentum, yellow markings, and anther-crest configuration. Phenetic analyses summarized overall morphological relationships among the sampled taxa, with Curcuma charanii Boonma & Saensouk showing the greatest Gower similarity to C. koonmeeana. The species is currently known from two populations along the same limestone mountain range and is provisionally assessed as Vulnerable (VU D1). Its recognition increases the known native diversity of subgen. Hitcheniopsis in Thailand to 31 taxa, comprising 30 species and one natural hybrid. The discovery highlights the continuing value of targeted botanical exploration and the need for habitat and population conservation.

Cytogenetic information remains limited for many rare and geographically restricted species of Zingiber in Thailand. This study investigated chromosome numbers, karyotype characteristics, centromeric-index and relative chromosome-length variation, and karyotype asymmetry in Z. brachystachys, Z. gramineum, Z. mekongense, Z. pellitum, and Z. pyroglossum. Somatic chromosomes were examined from root-tip meristems using the aceto-orcein squash technique, followed by quantitative karyotype analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), UPGMA clustering, and Stebbins asymmetry classification. All five examined taxa had 2n = 22 and NF = 44 but differed in karyotype formula: 8sm + 3st, 3m + 7sm + 1st, 5sm + 6st, 1m + 5sm + 5st, and 7sm + 3st + 1t, respectively. Multivariate analyses incorporating both centromeric index (CI) and relative chromosome length (RL) showed clear karyomorphometric differentiation among the five taxa. UPGMA analysis grouped Z. pellitum and Z. brachystachys most closely, whereas Z. gramineum joined the remaining taxa at the greatest clustering distance. The first two PCA components explained 74.591% of the total variation. Stebbins categories ranged from 3A to 4B. These results provide new comparative cytogenetic data for five rare Thai Zingiber species and demonstrate interspecific variation in chromosome morphology despite uniformity in chromosome number.

Limestone karst habitats in tropical Asia support specialized and geographically restricted plant diversity, yet many areas remain incompletely explored. During botanical surveys of limestone habitats in northeastern Thailand, a distinctive, yellow-flowered population of Boesenbergia was discovered in Phu Pha Man District, Khon Kaen Province. Morphological observations were conducted on living plants in the natural population and spirit-preserved material, supplemented by comparisons with protologues, published descriptions, and herbarium material. Patterns of phenetic similarity among ten selected Boesenbergia taxa were evaluated using 32 morphological characters, Gower distance, UPGMA clustering, and principal coordinates analysis (PCoA). The population is described here as Boesenbergia calcicola Boonma, Saensouk & P.Saensouk, sp. nov. It is morphologically most comparable to B. petiolata but differs by its conspicuously exserted inflorescence, shorter bracts and flowers, distally puberulent floral tube, smaller puberulent lateral staminodes, and distinctive labellum color pattern. Phenetic analyses were used to summarize patterns of overall morphological similarity among the examined taxa. The species is currently known only from its limestone type locality at approximately 385 m a.s.l. and is provisionally assessed as Data Deficient (DD). This discovery further documents localized Boesenbergia diversity associated with limestone karst habitats in northeastern Thailand.

Limestone habitats in Southeast Asia often harbour narrowly distributed plant diversity, and several limestone-associated taxa of Boesenbergia require further taxonomic documentation. Field surveys and ex situ observations of living material from Loei Province, northeastern Thailand, revealed a distinctive Boesenbergia population associated with shaded limestone microhabitats. This study evaluates this population using comparative morphology, herbarium and literature comparisons, phenetic analyses based on 25 selected morphological characters, and a preliminary conservation assessment. Boesenbergia lamudiae Boonma, Saensouk & P.Saensouk, sp. nov., is described and illustrated. The species is morphologically most similar to B. burmanica Boonma, P.Saensouk & Saensouk, and resembles B. rotunda sensu lato in having a terminal inflorescence enclosed within the leaf sheaths and lacking an androecial cup. It differs by its broadly elliptic to ovate-elliptic laminae with an arachnoid abaxial surface, maroon lanceolate bracts, longer pubescent calyx with an acute to acuminate apex, non-saccate obovate labellum with a sharply delimited maroon transverse colour zone, larger anther crest, longer epigynous glands, and pubescent ovary. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clustering based on Gower distance separated B. lamudiae from all compared operational units, supporting its morphological distinctiveness. The species is currently known only from Nong Hin District and is provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) under criterion D.

Zingiberaceae is an ecologically, economically, and culturally important plant family in tropical Asia, yet its diversity and ethnobotanical significance remain insufficiently documented in several parts of Thailand. This study investigated the diversity, traditional uses, preliminary regional conservation status, and selected taxonomic aspects of Zingiberaceae in Lop Buri Province, central Thailand. Field surveys, herbarium studies, morphological comparisons, informal ethnobotanical interviews, quantitative use analyses, and preliminary conservation assessments were conducted from 2024 to 2025. A total of 110 taxa, comprising 109 species and one putative natural hybrid, were recorded in 13 genera and three tribes. These included wild, cultivated, introduced, and locally utilized taxa documented from natural habitats, home gardens, agricultural areas, and other human-associated habitats. Among them, 43 taxa were recorded from natural habitats as wild or naturally occurring populations, whereas 95 taxa were newly documented for Lop Buri Province. Natural habitats, particularly limestone areas, mixed deciduous forests, and dry evergreen forests, supported important native and endemic taxa. Ethnobotanical data from 110 informants documented 5113 use reports for 106 taxa, covering food, spice, medicinal, ornamental, ritual and belief-based, cosmetic, and commercial uses. Curcuma and Alpinia turned out to be the most frequently utilized genera. A putative natural hybrid, Curcuma × lopburiensis, is also described. These findings highlight Lop Buri Province as a hot spot for Zingiberaceae diversity and an important area for traditional plant knowledge and conservation in central Thailand.

The taxonomy and distribution of Kaempferia subgen. Protanthium (Zingiberaceae) in Myanmar remain incompletely documented despite the botanical significance of the region. This study aims to clarify the diversity and taxonomic status of species belonging to this subgenus in Myanmar through field investigations and herbarium studies. Detailed morphological examinations of newly collected and previously documented specimens were conducted to evaluate diagnostic characters and species delimitation. As a result, Kaempferia kayinensis is described in this paper as a new species from Kayin State, southeastern Myanmar, and K. simaoensis Y.Y.Qian as a new country record. In addition, the taxonomic status of K. parishii Hook.f. is reassessed and reinstated based on morphological evidence, distinguishing it from K. ovalifolia Roxb. These findings confirm the presence of four species of Kaempferia subgen. Protanthium in Myanmar (K. kayinensis, K. parishii, K. rotunda, and K. simaoensis) and increase the number of known Kaempferia species in the country to twelve. The results highlight the importance of continued floristic and taxonomic studies to better document the diversity of Kaempferia in Myanmar.

Traditional markets play an important role in the exchange of plant resources and the preservation of traditional food knowledge. This study documents the diversity of food plants traded in Renmin Market, located in Youjiang District, Baise City, Guangxi, China, and evaluates their cultural importance using the Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI). Field surveys were conducted through market observations and interviews with vendors and local informants. All edible plant species were recorded, including their scientific names, vernacular names, used parts, and modes of consumption. A total of 104 food plant taxa were documented, representing a wide range of plant families and growth forms. The recorded plants were used in four main utilization categories: vegetables, spices, fruits, and beverages. Frequently used plant parts included fruits, leaves, shoots, and underground organs such as roots, rhizomes, and tubers. The CFSI values showed considerable variation in cultural importance among species, ranging from 21.6 to 1764. The highest CFSI values were recorded for Cucurbita pepo, Allium cepa, Cucurbita maxima, and Houttuynia cordata, reflecting their frequent consumption and versatility in local cuisine. Comparative analysis with previous studies in Baise City indicated that 38 species were shared among three markets, while 30 species were recorded exclusively in Renmin Market. These findings highlight the diversity of food plants available in local markets and their importance in maintaining regional culinary traditions and plant-based dietary diversity.