Roscoea nepalensis

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Roscoea nepalensis
Roscoea nepalensis 1180707.jpg
In cultivation
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Zingiberaceae
Genus: Roscoea
Species:
R. nepalensis
Binomial name
Roscoea nepalensis
Cowley [1]

Roscoea nepalensis is a perennial herbaceous plant found in Nepal. [1] Most members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), to which it belongs, are tropical, but R. nepalensis, like other species of Roscoea , grows in much colder mountainous regions. [2]

Contents

Description

Flower of R. nepalensis, in cultivation Roscoea nepalensis 2180707.jpg
Flower of R. nepalensis, in cultivation

Roscoea nepalensis is a perennial herbaceous plant. Like all members of the genus Roscoea, it dies back each year to a short vertical rhizome, to which are attached the tuberous roots. When growth begins again, "pseudostems" are produced: structures which resemble stems but are actually formed from the tightly wrapped bases (sheaths) of its leaves. [3] Plants are usually 10–26 cm (3.9–10.2 in) tall, with three to eight leaves. The first one to three consist only of sheaths, which soon split; the remaining leaves form a rosette and have blades usually 7–10 cm (2.8–3.9 in) long by 1.2–2.6 cm (0.47–1.02 in) wide (although lengths and widths outside this range are also found). The blades have a short base somewhat resembling a stem. A small ligule is present at the junction of the blade and sheath. [2]

Flowers appear in June to July in the wild. The stem (peduncle) of the flower spike (inflorescence) is held within the leaves. The flowers are white. The pale green bracts which subtend the flowers are more or less the same length as the calyx. [2]

Each flower has the typical structure for Roscoea (see the diagrams in that article). There is a tube-shaped outer calyx, with a bluntly two-lobed apex. Next the three petals (the corolla) form a tube, 6–9 cm (2.4–3.5 in) long, which protrudes from the calyx and terminates in three lobes, a hooded upright central lobe, about 2.2–3 cm (0.87–1.18 in) long by 1 cm (0.39 in) wide, and two narrower side lobes, about 2–2.5 cm (0.79–0.98 in) long by about 5 mm (0.2 in) wide. Inside the petals are structures formed from four sterile stamens (staminodes): two lateral staminodes form what appear to be small upright petals, which are nearly circular, being 1.5–2.3 cm (0.6–0.9 in) by 1.2–1.5 cm (0.5–0.6 in), with a more or less central vein; two central staminodes are partially fused at the base to form a broad lip or labellum, 3.5–4 cm (1.4–1.6 in) long by about 2.5–4 cm (1.0–1.6 in) wide. The labellum is not bent backwards and is split into two lobes at the end. [2] [3]

The single functional stamen has a cream anther, about 8 mm (0.3 in) long, with very short spurs, 1–2 mm (0.0–0.1 in) long, formed from the connective tissue between the two capsules of the anther. The stigma is dome-shaped. [2]

R. nepalensis does not closely resemble any other species. The small size of the spurs below the anthers are like those of R. alpina . The leaves have similarities to R. debilis in that the blades form rosettes and have narrow stem-like bases. The lateral staminodes of R. nepalensis are unusual in being more or less circular. The species is also unusual in only being known with white flowers. [2]

Taxonomy

Roscoea nepalensis was first collected in 1952 and was initially confused with R. alpina . It was first described as a new species by Elizabeth Jill Cowley, a botanist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in 1980. [2] The specific epithet nepalensis refers to the plant's occurrence in Nepal. [2]

Evolution and phylogeny

The family Zingiberaceae is mainly tropical in distribution. The unusual mountainous distribution of Roscoea may have evolved relatively recently as a response to the uplift taking place in the region in the last 50 million years or so due to the collision of the Indian and Asian tectonic plates. [4]

Species of Roscoea divide into two clear groups, a Himalayan clade and a "Chinese" clade (which includes some species from outside China). The two clades correspond to a geographical separation, their main distributions being divided by the Brahmaputra River as it flows south at the end of the Himalayan mountain chain. It has been suggested that the genus may have originated in this area and then spread westwards along the Himalayas and eastwards into the mountains of China and its southern neighbours. R. nepalensis was not included in the phylogenetic analysis by Ngamriabsakul et al.; it falls into the geographical distribution of the Himalayan clade. [4]

Distribution and habitat

Roscoea nepalensis occurs in Nepal, growing at altitudes of around 2,400–3,100 m (7,900–10,200 ft) in grassland, among rocks and in open woodland in the shade of trees and shrubs. [2]

Related Research Articles

<i>Roscoea</i> Genus of flowering plants

Roscoea is a genus of perennial plants of the family Zingiberaceae. Most members of the family are tropical, whereas Roscoea species are native to mountainous regions of the Himalayas, China and its southern neighbours. Roscoea flowers superficially resemble orchids, although they are not related. The flowers of Roscoea have a complicated structure, in which some of the showy coloured parts are not formed by petals, but by staminodes, sterile stamens which have evolved to become like petals. Some species are grown as ornamental plants in gardens.

<i>Roscoea auriculata</i> Species of plant

Roscoea auriculata is a perennial herbaceous plant occurring in the eastern Himalayas, in Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal and Sikkim. Most members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), to which it belongs, are tropical, but R. auriculata, like other species of Roscoea, grows in much colder mountainous regions. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant in gardens.

<i>Roscoea humeana</i> Species of plant

Roscoea humeana is a species of flowering plant in the family Zingiberaceae. It is a perennial occurring in the Sichuan and Yunnan provinces of China. Most members of the ginger family, to which it belongs, are tropical, but R. humeana, like other species of Roscoea, grows in much colder mountainous regions. It is also grown as an ornamental plant in gardens.

<i>Roscoea alpina</i> Species of plant

Roscoea alpina is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the Himalayas. Most members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), to which it belongs, are tropical, but R. alpina, like other species of Roscoea, grows in much colder mountainous regions. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant in gardens.

<i>Roscoea tibetica</i> Species of flowering plant

Roscoea tibetica is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the mountains of China, being found in Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan. The species formerly included plants found in Bhutan; in 2000, these were separated into a new species, Roscoea bhutanica. Most members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), to which it belongs, are tropical, but R. tibetica, like other species of Roscoea, grows in much colder mountainous regions. R. tibetica is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant in gardens. In 2020, it was proposed that R. tibetica be split again.

<i>Roscoea kunmingensis</i> Species of flowering plant

Roscoea kunmingensis is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the mountains of China, being found in Yunnan. Most members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), to which it belongs, are tropical, but R. kunmingensis, like other species of Roscoea, grows in much colder mountainous regions.

<i>Roscoea capitata</i> Species of flowering plant

Roscoea capitata is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the Himalayas, being found in Nepal. Most members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), to which it belongs, are tropical, but R. capitata, like other species of Roscoea, grows in much colder mountainous regions.

<i>Roscoea forrestii</i> Species of flowering plant

Roscoea forrestii is a perennial herbaceous plant occurring in the Sichuan and Yunnan provinces of China. Most members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), to which it belongs, are tropical, but R. forrestii, like other species of Roscoea, grows in much colder mountainous regions. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant in gardens. It was named after George Forrest (1873–1932) who discovered it in Yunnan.

<i>Roscoea tumjensis</i> Species of flowering plant

Roscoea tumjensis is a perennial herbaceous plant occurring in the Himalayas, in Nepal. Most members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), to which it belongs, are tropical, but R. tumjensis, like other species of Roscoea, grows in much colder mountainous regions.

Roscoea cangshanensis is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the mountains of China, being found in Yunnan. Most members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), to which it belongs, are tropical, but R. canshanensis, like other species of Roscoea, grows in much colder mountainous regions.

<i>Roscoea praecox</i> Species of flowering plant

Roscoea praecox is a perennial herbaceous plant occurring in the Yunnan province of China. Most members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), to which it belongs, are tropical, but R. praecox, like other species of Roscoea, grows in much colder mountainous regions. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant in gardens.

<i>Roscoea bhutanica</i> Species of flowering plant

Roscoea bhutanica is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the mountains of Bhutan and Tibet. Formerly regarded as part of Roscoea tibetica, it was recognized as a separate species in 2000. Most members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), to which it belongs, are tropical, but R. bhutanica, like other species of Roscoea, grows in much colder mountainous regions.

<i>Roscoea australis</i> Species of flowering plant

Roscoea australis is a perennial herbaceous plant found in Burma, to the south of all other members of the genus. Most members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), to which it belongs, are tropical, but R. australis, like other species of Roscoea, grows in much colder mountainous regions.

Roscoea brandisii is a species of herbaceous flowering plant in the Zingiberaceae family. It is a perennial found in the state of Meghalaya, India. Most members of the ginger family, to which it belongs, are tropical, but R. brandisii, like other species of Roscoea, grows in much colder mountainous regions.

<i>Roscoea debilis</i> Species of flowering plant

Roscoea debilis is a perennial herbaceous plant found in Yunnan, China. Most members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), to which it belongs, are tropical, but R. debilis, like other species of Roscoea, grows in much colder mountainous regions.

<i>Roscoea schneideriana</i> Species of flowering plant

Roscoea schneideriana is a perennial herbaceous plant found in China, in Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan. Most members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), to which it belongs, are tropical, but R. schneideriana, like other species of Roscoea, grows in much colder mountainous regions.

<i>Roscoea ngainoi</i> Species of flowering plant

Roscoea ngainoi is a perennial herbaceous plant occurring in the Ukhrul district of Manipur state, India. Most members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), to which it belongs, are tropical, but like other species of Roscoea, R. ngainoi grows in much colder mountainous regions.

Roscoea ganeshensis is a perennial herbaceous plant occurring in Ganesh Himal in central Nepal. Most members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), to which it belongs, are tropical, but like other species of Roscoea, R. ganeshensis grows in much colder mountainous regions. It is used as an ornamental garden plant, requiring moisture and shade in the summer.

<i>Roscoea wardii</i> Species of flowering plant

Roscoea wardii is a perennial herbaceous plant occurring from eastern Arunachal Pradesh in India to western Yunnan in China. Most members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), to which it belongs, are tropical, but like other species of Roscoea, R. wardii grows in much colder mountainous regions.

<i>Roscoea scillifolia</i> Species of flowering plant

Roscoea scillifolia is a perennial herbaceous plant occurring in Yunnan in China. Most members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), to which it belongs, are tropical, but like other species of Roscoea, R. scillifolia grows in much colder mountainous regions. As of 2013, the species is only known in cultivation and may be extinct in the wild.

References

  1. 1 2 WCSP (2011), World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew , retrieved 2011-10-03, search for "Roscoea nepalensis"
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Cowley, E.J. (1982), "A revision of Roscoea (Zingiberaceae)", Kew Bulletin, 36 (4): 747–777, doi:10.2307/4117918, JSTOR   4117918
  3. 1 2 Wu, Delin & Larsen, Kai (2000), "Roscoea", in Wu, Zhengyi; Raven, Peter H. & Hong, Deyuan (eds.), Flora of China Vol. 24, Beijing; St. Louis: Science Press; Missouri Botanical Garden, retrieved 2011-10-01
  4. 1 2 Ngamriabsakul, C.; Newman, M.F. & Cronk, Q.C.B. (2000), "Phylogeny and disjunction in Roscoea (Zingiberaceae )" (PDF), Edinburgh Journal of Botany, 57 (1): 39–61, doi:10.1017/s0960428600000032 , retrieved 2011-10-03, p. 42 (fig. 1)
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