Hedychium ziroense (Zingiberaceae), a new species of ginger lily from Northeast India

Abstract

We describe <i>Hedychiumziroense</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> from Northeast India (NE India) which was discovered during one of our recent botanical explorations in Arunachal Pradesh. We provide detailed morphological comparison of this species with four other <i>Hedychium</i> species (<i>H.griersonianum</i> R.M.Sm., <i>H.ellipticum</i> Buch.-Ham. ex Sm., <i>H.gomezianum</i> Wall. and <i>H.yunnanense</i> Gagnep.), with which it shares some morphological similarities. The new species is characterised by a dense cylindrical spike, pubescent rachis, folded bracts, 2-3 flowers per cincinnus, deeply cleft labellum and a distinctive late monsoonal flowering phenology from August to September.