Rediscovery of Kaempferia marginata (Zingiberaceae) after a lapse of 100 years from India

Abstract

Kaempferia marginata was described by Roscoe in 1828 based on a specimen sent by Carey from British India. However, its exact habitat remained unknown, until the present report. It has also not been collected for so long from any where within the territory of present day India. The present study enabled to locate its natural habitat at Keithelmanbi, Manipur, Northeast India. The species is described, illustrated and compared with K. galanga L., another species having close morphological resemblance.