Curcuma kakchingense : New Flowering Plant Species
Researchers in Manipur recently discovered a new flowering plant species and have named the new species Curcuma kakchingense.
- Curcuma kakchingense is a new flowering plant species discovered in Manipur.
- It is a member of the angiospermic family Zingiberaceae, which includes well-known plants like Curcuma (turmeric), gingers, and cardamom.
- It is a robust plant, as tall as eight feet, having large terminal inflorescence.
- It was found thriving along the banks of the Sekmai River in the Kakching District of Manipur.
- It bears a striking resemblance to Curcuma longa, known locally as “Yaingung,” and Curcuma phrayawan, a species from Thailand, but is distinguished by having lemon-yellow rhizomes with a very bitter taste.
- It has been classified as “Data Deficient” (DD) under the IUCN Red List category.
- Several Curcuma species, including the turmeric (Curcuma longa are important for their use in cuisines, traditional medicines, spices, dyes, perfumes, cosmetics, and as ornamental plants.
