Roscoea ngainoi

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Roscoea ngainoi
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. ngainoi
Binomial name
Roscoea ngainoi
A.A.Mao & Bhaumik [1]
Roscoea distribution physical.png
Black circle shows distribution of Roscoea ngainoi

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 , [2] R. ngainoi grows in much colder mountainous regions. [3]

Contents

Description

Like all members of the genus Roscoea, R. ngainoi grows from a short vertical rhizome, to which are attached the tuberous roots. These produce "pseudostems": structures which resemble stems but are actually formed from the tightly wrapped bases (sheaths) of leaves. [4] Plants are around 14 cm (5.5 in) tall when in flower with up to six leaves. The first two or three consist only of sheaths; the remaining leaves have a blade 2.3–18.5 cm (0.91–7.28 in) long by 1.6–3.5 cm (0.63–1.38 in) wide. At the junction of the sheath and blade there is a small ligule, extending to 1.5–2 mm (0.059–0.079 in). [3]

The flower spike (inflorescence) is held within the leaves with generally one flower emerging at a time on a long corolla tube of up to 9.5 cm (3.7 in). The general flower colour is deep purple. The bracts which subtend the flowers are shorter than the calyx. [3]

Each flower has the typical structure for Roscoea (see the diagrams in that article). There is a tube-shaped outer calyx, about 6 cm (2.4 in) long, with a three-lobed apex. Next the three petals (the corolla) form a tube, longer than the calyx, terminating in three lobes, an upright central lobe, about 2.6–3.0 cm (1.0–1.2 in) long by 1.0–1.2 cm (0.39–0.47 in) wide, and two somewhat narrower side lobes, 2.2–2.5 cm (0.87–0.98 in) long by 0.5–0.7 cm (0.20–0.28 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 1.5–2.0 cm (0.59–0.79 in) by 0.6–0.8 cm (0.24–0.31 in), with a short narrowed part (a "claw") at the base; two central staminodes are partially fused at the base to form a lip or labellum, 2.0–2.3 cm (0.79–0.91 in) long by 1.2–1.6 cm (0.47–0.63 in) wide. The labellum divides to form two separated lobes, each 2.2–2.4 cm (0.87–0.94 in) long at the central edge, shorter at the outer edge. Two or three white lines extend from the base of each lobe, sometimes more than halfway to its finely toothed (serrulate) apex. [3] [4] The single functional stamen has a white anther, about 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long, with 2–13 mm (0.079–0.512 in) long spurs, [3] formed from the connective tissue between the two capsules of the anther. [4]

The species resembles R. tibetica , but the leaf blades are smaller, the corolla tubes much longer, exceeding the calyx, and the labellum is differently shaped and has white lines at the base. It was found on hills at elevations of 2,200–3,000 m (7,200–9,800 ft), in open grassy areas, where plants such as Lilium mackliniae were also present. [3]

Taxonomy

R. ngainoi was first described by A.A. Mao and M. Bhaumik in a paper published in 2008 (but dated 2007). The specific epithet ngainoi is derived from the Ngaino peak in Manipur, where the species was first found; the type specimen was collected in March 2005 at an altitude of 2,840 m (9,320 ft). R. ngainoi resembles R. tibetica and R. auriculata . [3]

Evolution and phylogeny

The family Zingiberaceae is mainly tropical in distribution. The unusual mountainous distribution of Roscoea may have evolved relatively recently and be 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. [5]

Species of Roscoea that have been subjected to molecular phylogenetic analysis divide into two clear groups, a Himalayan clade and a "Chinese" clade (which includes some species from outside China). [5] R. nganoi was discovered after the analysis by Ngamriabsakul, Newman & Cronk (2000) so that as of August 2012 its phylogenetic position was unknown. Manipur, where it was found, lies between the main distributions of the two clades.

Related Research Articles

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

Roscoea is a genus of perennial plants of the family Zingiberaceae. While most members of the ginger family are tropical, Roscoea species are native to cooler 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 resemble petals. Some species are grown as ornamental plants in gardens.

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

Cautleya is a small genus of perennial plants of the family Zingiberaceae, found in the eastern Himalayas through to China and Vietnam. It consists of two species of high-altitude tropical and temperate plants, native to cool forest areas – an unusual habitat for members of the Zingiberaceae. They are grown as ornamental flowering plants.

<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 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 nepalensis</i> Species of flowering plant

Roscoea nepalensis is a perennial herbaceous plant found in Nepal. 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.

<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.

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. ↑ "Roscoea ngainoi", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew , retrieved 2012-08-21
  2. ↑ Cowley, E.J. (1982), "A revision of Roscoea (Zingiberaceae)", Kew Bulletin, 36 (4): 747–777, doi:10.2307/4117918, JSTOR   4117918 , pp. 755-756
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mao, A. A. & Bhaumik, M. (2008) [dated 2007], "Roscoea ngainoi (Zingiberaceae) sp. nov. from Manipur, India", Nordic Journal of Botany, 25 (5–6): 299–302, doi:10.1111/j.0107-055X.2008.00186.x
  4. 1 2 3 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
  5. 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
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