Boesenbergia pulcherrima and B. tiliifolia (Zingiberaceae) in India: Notes on the identity, variability and typification

Abstract

Boesenbergia pulcherrima (Wall.) Kuntze is a misunderstood taxon in India. Whatever described from India under this name is known to belong to B. tiliifolia (Baker) Kuntze. Our discovery of B. pulcherrima in Meghalaya, Northeast India, as a new record for the country has made it possible to describe and identify this species authentically. Also, the authors have typified B. pulcherrima. Many variants of B. tiliifolia had also been collected from different parts of Kerala based on which a detailed description, illustration and other relevant notes are provided.