Fixing stray traditions in gingers: The identity and nomenclatural history of Zingiber neesanum and other entwined names

Abstract

The identities of two historical names, Zingiber neesanum (≡ Alpinia neesana) and Z. macrostachyum are re-investigated. Both have been considered to represent the same taxonomic entity by various workers in the past 160 years. Yet, based on traditional usage, they were applied to two distinct taxa occurring in the Western Ghats (India), both superficially similar by having long-stalked inflorescences, but much distinct in flower colour and overall morphology. Alpinia neesana was originally described only from fruiting material, while Z. macrostachyum was described from flowering material of a species with white flowers. Dalzell's presumption that his taxon was identical to Graham's, and unambiguous inclusion of A. neesana in his description made his name nomenclaturally superfluous and illegitimate. After realising the illegitimacy of Dalzell's name, a new combination was created in Zingiber for A. neesana. The name Z. neesanum continued to be applied sensu Dalzell to the white-flowered species mainly in the central and southern Western Ghats, but it was also applied to a yellow-flowered species in the northern Western Ghats, for which another name, Z. diwakarianum, was proposed recently. Despite the absence of any original material relating to Graham's or Dalzell's descriptions, re-collections from the type localities prove beyond any reasonable doubt that the yellow-flowered species is the true Z. neesanum, making Z. diwakarianum a synonym, and that the existing name Z. anamalayanum has to be applied to the white-flowered species, originally described by Dalzell as Z. macrostachyum. The significance of authentic primary data sources concerning botanical history such as correspondence and manuscripts of collectors and botanists, and the importance of making these resources widely accessible through digitisation are highlighted.

Typification of names relevant to a revision ofZingiber(Zingiberaceae) in China

“…6565 at K (K‐W barcode K001124209) and are certain that this plant, which originated from mountain parts of South India, is not Z. officinale , but most likely Z. anamalayanum Sujanapal & Sasidh. (sensu Patil & al., 2021).…”

Status of floristic diversity and impact of development on two sacred groves from Maval Tehsil (Maharashtra, India) after a century

“…Noteworthy trees include Semecarpus anacardium L.f., a source of creosote (Balfour 1870), and Ficus drupacea Thunb., creating natural topiary (Robert 1896) work (Image 1E). John Graham cited Lonavala Grove in the protologue of Alpinia neesiana Graham (Patil et al 2021).…”