Zingiberaceae in India: Phytogeography and Endemism

Abstract

Zingiberaceae, the largest family in the Zingiberales, is among the ten largest monocotyledonous families in India. Members of the family yield spices, dyes, p e rfumes, medicines and ornamentals. It occurs chiefly in the tropics with about 52 genera and 1400 species and has greatest concentration in the Indo-Malesian region of Asia. It is represented by 22 genera and 178 species in India. concentrated mainly in northeastern and the peninsular region. Two monotypic genera viz. Paracautleya and Parakaempferia, and about 70 species, are endemic to India. Several endemics are rare and threatened; some of these are now in the vulnerable category. The genus Hedychium is the largest, with 39 species and 4 varieties in India. The present paper deals with phytogeographical distribution of all Indian Zingiberaceous taxa. with position of endemism.