Amomum meghalayense (Zingiberaceae): a new species from northeast India Author Thomas, V. P. Department of Botany, Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, Kerala- 689 645, India. & Department of Botany, University of Calicut, Kerala- 673 635, India. Author Sabu, M. Department of Botany, University of Calicut, Kerala- 673 635, India. Author Sanoj, E. Department of Botany, University of Calicut, Kerala- 673 635, India. & Department of Botany, Zamorin’s Guruvayurappan College, Kozhikode, Kerala- 673 014. text Phytotaxa 2016 2016-01-25 245 2 178 182 http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.245.2.9 journal article 302251 10.11646/phytotaxa.245.2.9 4fbd7c40-0c04-48fc-ad50-df735d09b1b7 1179-3163 13680630 Amomum meghalayense V.P.Thomas, M.Sabu & Sanoj , sp. nov . ( Figs 1 , 2 ) Amomo hypoleuco similis in floribus majoribus centro macula lutea et rubra instructa, sed differt rhizomis non-stoloniferis, foliis lanceolatis infra dilute viridis, apice tenuiter circinali, inflorescentia solitaria a rhizoma sub caule orienti, bracteis 2 vel 3 floribus gaudentibus, et antherae basi appendice alato. A species similar to A. hypoleucum in having large, white coloured flowers, but differs from this species in having non-stoloniferous rhizomes, linear lanceolate leaves with finely coiled apices, flowers in cincinii of two or three and the anther having basal wings. Type :— INDIA . Meghalaya : West Garo Hills District, Tura Peak, 6 August 2007 , E . Sanoj & T . Rajesh Kumar 95123 ( holotype CALI !, isotype ASSAM !). FIGURE 1 . Amomum meghalayense . A. habit. B. ligule. C. inflorescence. D. bract. E. bracteole. F. flower. G. calyx. H. corolla lobes. I. stamen. J. labellum. K. ovary with epigynous glands and style. L. stigma. M. c.s. of ovary. N. fruit. O. seed. FIGURE 2 . Amomum meghalayense . A. habit. B. ligule. C. inflorescence. D. rhizome. E. bract. F. bracteole. G. & H. flowers. I. calyx. J. corolla lobes. K. labellum. L. stamen. M. anther crest. N. anther base with appendage. O. epigynous glands and style. P. stigma. Rhizomes non-stoloniferous, 1.0– 1.2 cm thick, length/width ratio c . 2:1, creamy-white inside. Leafy shoots 50–100 cm , slanting, clump-forming; sheath c. 1 cm wide at base, green, margin membranous, puberulous externally. Leaves 5–9 per shoot, slender, clumping; laminae linear-lanceolate, 16–30 × 2.0– 3.2 cm , aromatic when crushed, dark green above, pale beneath, bases cuneate, margins glabrous, apices acuminate to 5 cm long, coiled, glabrous on both surfaces; midribs glabrous; veins slightly raised above; petioles absent or to 1.7 cm , green, glabrous. Ligules 0.3–0.4 cm , coriaceous, margins ciliate, apices truncate to emarginate, glabrous. Inflorescences c. 3 cm , arising from the rhizome just below the aerial stem, 3–5 flowered; peduncle 1–2 cm . Outer bracts linear lanceolate, c. 3.7 × 0.7 cm , coriaceous, not deciduous, green, margins ciliate, apices acute, pubescent externally, rarely puberulous internally; inner bracts oblong or linear, 4.5–4.7 × 1.0– 1.1 cm , chartaceous, red, margins glabrous, apices rounded, pubescent externally, each bract subtending 2–3 flowers. Bracteoles non-tubular, size reduced towards inner flower, c. 0.6 × 0.1 cm , white, membranous, margins ciliate, cuspidate at apex, pubescent externally, glabrous internally. Flowers 5.2–6.0 cm, white, in cincinii of 2 or 3. Calyx bilobed, 1.8–1.9 × 0.35–0.40 cm , pale pink, split or less equally, cleft c. 0.4 cm deep, two curled pubescent horns present behind apex back, pubescent externally, glabrous internally. Corolla tubes 1.8–1.9 × c. 0.5 cm at mouth, white, pubescent towards mouth and puberulous towards base externally, villous towards mouth, glabrous towards base within; dorsal corolla lobe oblanceolate, 2.3–2.4 × 0.9–1.0 cm, white, margin ciliate, apex hooded with a 0.1–0.2 cm pubescent cusp, glabrous on both surfaces; lateral corolla lobes lanceolate, c. 2.1 × 0.8 cm , margins ciliate, one side slightly folded at apex, glabrous on both surfaces. Labellum obovate, entire, 3.4–3.5 × 2.4–2.5 cm , white towards periphery, red and yellow patch at centre, margins crumbled, slightly crenulate, pubescent towards base internally. Lateral staminodes usually absent. Stamen 1.8–1.9 cm ; filament 0.8–0.9 × 0.25–0.30 cm , white, a channel present that holds the filament in position, glabrous; connective winged at base of thecae, puberulous; crest trilobed, 0.60–0.65 × c . 0.3 cm , white, apex slightly lobed; anther thecae oblong, 0.6–0.7 cm , creamy-white, base rounded, apex rounded, glabrous; dehiscing throughout their length. Epigynous glands 2, oblong, 0.30–0.35 cm long, creamy-white, apex minutely lobed, rarely puberulous externally. Ovary barrel shaped, 0.4–0.5 × 0.3–0.4 cm , slightly angled, pubescent externally; locules 3; ovules many on axile placentae; style c. 3.6 cm long, glabrous; stigma cup-shaped, c. 0.1 cm , red spotted, mouth ciliate, opening terminal. Infructescence c. 3 cm long, 1–2 capsules per spike; peduncle c. 1.5 cm long. Capsule globose, 8–9 ribbed, 1.5–20 × 1.5 cm , dark maroon, pubescent externally, calyx not persistent. Seeds many, angular, c. 0.3–0.4 cm , black, aromatic, arillate; aril white. Flowering and fruiting from May to August. Etymology :—Named for the Indian state of Meghalaya where the species occurs. Ecology :—Growing in evergreen forests at high elevation. Additional Specimen examined ( paratype ) :— INDIA . Meghalaya : Rongal Ading Forest (Baiza), 4 May 1997 , S. Tripathi 20819 (CDRI).