J Syst Evol ›› 2008, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (1): 80-88.DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1002.2008.07003

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Two new species of Curcuma (Zingiberaceae) used as cobra-bite antidotes

1Arunrat CHAVEERACH*, 1Runglawan SUDMOON, 2Tawatchai TANEE, 1Piya MOKKAMUL, 1Nison SATTAYASAI, 3Jintana SATTAYASAI   

  1. 1(Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand)

    2(Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham 44000, Thailand)

    3(Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand)
    raccha@kku.ac.th.
  • Received:2007-01-15 Published:2008-01-18

Abstract: Two new species of Curcuma, C. sattayasaii A. Chaveerach & R. Sudmoon and C. zedoaroides A. Chaveerach & T. Tanee with rhizomes traditionally used for many decades as cobra-bite antidotes are described and illustrated. Curcuma sattayasaii is similar to C. longa L., but differs in rhizome horizontally branching on ground; coma bracts pinkish-white or pinkish-pale green; corolla pale yellow with orange tip; labellum pale orange with an orange central band; anther crest very short, broadly ovate, wider than long. Curcuma zedoaroides is similar to C. zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe, but differs in rhizome branching pattern; the protruding secondary rhizomes curved down; blades oblong to oblong-lanceolate; peduncle glabrous; fertile and coma bracts glabrous; corolla lobes pale yellow to white, lateral lobe ovate, dorsal lobe broadly ovate. The new taxa have been found in a village of Khon Kaen Province, Northeastern Thailand.

Key words: Curcuma, Curcuma sattayasaii A. Chaveerach & R. Sudmoon, Curcuma zedoaroides A. Chaveer & T. Tanee, cobra-bite antidote, New species, Khon Kaen, Thailand