Home Biological sciences Biodiversity and Traditional Knowledge Amomum foetidum (Zingiberaceae), a new species from Northeast Thailand

Amomum foetidum (Zingiberaceae), a new species from Northeast Thailand

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ตุลาคม 3 , 2020

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Asst. Prof. Dr Piyaporn SAENSOUK, a SCIMSU researcher, and colleagues discovered Amomum foetidum (Zingiberaceae), a new species from northeast Thailand.

ABSTRACT: Amomum foetidum (Zingiberaceae), a new species from Northeast Thailand is here described, illustrated and photographed. The key to three species of Amomum which cited and treated in this paper is provided.

Amomum foetidum Boonma & Saensouk, sp. nov.

Distribution: So far known from Sakon Nakhon province and is mostly cultivated in Northeastern Thailand.

Etymology: The specific epithet “foetidum” is derived from the Latin word that refers to a pungent odour which this plant emits the smell similar to the smell of the Stink Bugs (Tessaratoma papillosa Drury) when sniffing near its flower or crushed part of this plant.

Provisional IUCN Red List category: Only a few populations have been found, but it is expected to be found in adjacent areas as suitable habitat still seems to exist and waiting for further field studies and observations, we suggest treating this species as data deficient (DD).

Uses: used to substitute the stink bugs (Tessaratoma papillosa Drury) in cooking.

Notes: all parts of the plant have a pungent odour similar to the smell of stink bugs (Tessaratoma papillosa Drury), bracts and peduncles are white when young or if it is in the underground but they will be green if above the ground.

**Amomum foetidum** Boonma & Saensouk; A. habit; B. ligule-side view; C. ligule-front view; D. leaf-margin with the prickly hairs at 1/3 of the leaf tip; E. leaf-apex; F. rhizome with fibers; G. inflorescence above the ground; H. inflorescences and underground part. Photographed by Thawatphong Boonma.

**Amomum foetidum** Boonma & Saensouk; A. dissection (from left): dorsal corolla lobe, lateral corolla lobes, labellum, stigma, stamen, calyx, floral tube with stamen and ovary, flower (side view); B. flower (top and semi-side view); C. flower (top view); D. stigma (front and side view); E. stamen (front, side, and back view); F. ovary with epigynous glands (side and front view). Photographed by Thawatphong Boonma.

**Amomum foetidum** Boonma & Saensouk; A. labellum; B. dorsal corolla lobe; C. lateral corolla lobes; D. calyx; E. stigma (front and side view); F. stamen; G. ovary with epigynous glands (side and front view); H. stamen with corolla tube and ovary; I. habitat with inflorescence and the underground parts; J. close up the inflorescence. Drawn by Thawatphong Boonma.

Thawatphong Boonma, Surapon Saensouk and Piyaporn Saensouk. 2020. Amomum foetidum (Zingiberaceae), A New Species from Northeast Thailand. Taiwania. 65(3); 364-370.