Nordic Journal of Botany

Three new species of Caulokaempferia (Zingiberaceae) from

Thailand with a discussion of the generic diversity

Kai Larsen

Larsen, K. 2003. Three new species of Caulokaempferia (Zingiberaceae) from

Thailand with a discussion of the generic diversity. - Nord. J. Bot. 22: 409-417.
Copenhagen. ISSN 0107-055X.

Three new species of Caulokaempferia from Thailand, C. appendiculata, C.

bracteata, and C. violacea, are described and illustrated. The diversity of genus is
discussed. A key to the species known from Thailand is provided.

K. Larsen. Department Systematic Botany, University of Aarhus, Nordlandsvej 68,

DK-8240 Risskov. Denmark.

Introduction Diagnosis: Caulokaempferia appendiculata K. Lar-

The genus Caulokaempferia K. Larsen consists of a
dozen tiny Zingiberaceae from humid environments,
mossy rocks along streams, wen rock walls and
swampy areas. It was established by the author
(1 964) and further species were described by Larsen
& Smith (1972) and Larsen (1973). Intensive collect-
ing in recent years in the montainous regions of
northern Thailand and adjacent Laos have revealed a
number of undescribed Zingiberaceae, and among
these also new species of Caulokaempferia a genus
which has turned out to be more widespread than
previously known, but evidently overlooked.
The new species
1. Caulokaempferia appendiculata
K. Larsen & P. Triboun
Type: P. Triboun 617, Thailand, Chiang Mai Prov-
ince, Ang Kang, Kop Dung village, hill evergreen
forest dominated by Fagaceae and Ericaceae, alt. c
1400 m. 27. 8. 1999 (AAU holotype, BK, BKF
isotypes).
sen & P. Triboun sp. nov. C. saksuwanii K. Larsen
affinis a qua differt labello multo majore, stami-
nodiis lateralibus auriculatis, bracteis appendicu-
latis. - Fig. 1.
Herb with short rhizome and few storage roots.
Pseudostem 30-40 cm, glabrous, leaves confined to
the upper half of stem; ligule 4-7 mm, entire, acute;
lamina sessile, narrowly lanceolate, long acuminate,
broadest just above the base, 10-12 by c 2 cm, gla-
brous on both sides. Inflorescence 5-10 cm long;
bracts 5-8, green, linear, 4-4.5 cm long including an
appendage in the form of a narrowly lanceolate, re-
duced lamina c 20 by 3 mm; each bract enclosing a
cincinnus with 2-3 yellow flowers; an almost ripe
capsule is developed when the last flower is at
anthesis; bracteoles lanceolate, acute, 8 by 2 mm,
sometimes wanting. Ovary glabrous, c 7 mm long.
Calyx tubular, c 20 mm long, 4 mm diam, split half
way down on one side, apex tridentate; corolla tube
c 35 mm, lobes lanceolate, 10 by 3-4 mm, obtuse;
staminodes patent, auriculate,l2 by 7 mm, obovate
with wavy margin. Labellum broadly obovate 35 by
28 mm, margin crenulate. Filament 1-1.5 mm; anther
rectangular, hairy on ventral side, 2.5 by 2 mm; an-

Accepted 28-12-2002

Nord. I. BoI. 22(4) 2002

409
410 Nord. 1. Bot. 22(4) 2002
ther crest straight to slightly recurved, broadly ovate,
5 by 3.5 mm; stylodial glands poorly developed in
the form of 2 minute teeth, 1-2 mm . Fruit a unilocu-
lar, fleshy capsule, slightly trigonous, glabrous, shin-
ing, green, 15 by 6 mm, opening by a wide, oval slit;
ovules on a central placenta which turn into a green
gelatinous substance. Seeds narrowly ovoid, pubes-
cent, light brown, 2 mm long; aril wanting. - Fig. 1.
Notes. The species is easily recognized by the patent,
auriculate, lateral staminodes and the bracts termi-
nated by a linear, foliaceous appendage, characters
not found in other species. Flowering July-August.
The material was collected by assistant curator
Mr. Pramote Triboun, Bangkok Herbarium (BK) dur-
ing his exploration of the mountains at the water-
heed between Myanmar and Thailand. This is an
area in which numerous new records to Thailand and
undescribed species recently have been found.
2. Caulokaempferia bracteata K. Larsen &
S. S. Larsen
Type: K. Larsen 47337, from Chatuchak Market in
Bangkok brought in from Nong Khai, Thailand. 4. 7.
1999. Flowering and fruiting specimens (AAU
holotype, BKF isotype).
Diagnosis: Caulokaempferia bracteata K.Larsen &
S. S. Larsen sp. nov. a speciebus ceteris generis
differt labello trilobo cum lob0 mediano non
profunde diviso, bracteis latis amplexicaulibus
unilateralibus. - Fig. 2.
Herb with a short, fleshy, creeping rhizome; roots fi-
brous, some forming longish storage tubers.
Pseudostem up to 40 cm, terete at base, compressed
in upper part, in the most vigorous plants, 5 mm
diam at base, 7-8 mm below the inflorescence. Lower
half of pseudostem with leaf sheaths only or sheaths
with very reduced lamina. Leaves 5-6 in upper half.
Leaf sheaths glabrous to finely puberulous with
setose margin; ligule truncate with irregular apex, c
3 mm; lamina sessile, lanceolate, broadest just above
the base, apex long acuminate, finely pubescent on
both sides, upper side dark green, lower pale green;
2.5-10.0 by 1.0-2.4 cm. Inflorescence 5-6.5 cm;
bracts 3-10, imbricate, unilateral with amplexicaul
base, 4 by 2 cm (lower) to 2 by 1 cm (upper) long,
forming open pouches for the cincinnae, apex acute;
Fig. 1. Caulokaempferia appendiculata. Upper left. Flowering specimens. Upper right. Infructescence with open capsule. Be-
low. Population at the type locality. Triboun 617.- Photo I? Triboun.
Nord. J. Bot. 22(4) 2002
axis visible on one side; bracteoles not observed.
Some inflorescences are terminated by a minute, ster-
ile bract. Flowers yellow, 1-2 (-3) per bract. Ovary
unilocular, 2-3 mm. Calyx tubular, 10-12 mm long,
glabrous, split 3-4 mm down on one side, apex
rounded with 2 minute teath; corolla tube 22-24 mm
long, c 1 mm broad; dorsal corolla lobe c 10 mm,
lanceolate, hooded with apex produced into a 0.5
mm thorn-like point; lateral corolla lobes triangular,
placed close together below the labellum; lateral
staminodes 12-13 mm, narrowly obovate with round-
ed apex, overlapping at base, placed in the median
plane; labellum flat with saccate base, strigose in
proximal part, distal part 3-lobed with emarginate
median lobe, 20-23 mm long, c 20 mm broad, broad-
est towards apex; filament short, c 1 mm; anther c 3
mm; anther crest reflexed, broadly ovate, 5 by 4 mm.
Stylodial glands 2, filiform c 3 mm. Fruit a unilocu-
lar, fleshy capsule; seeds numerous, small, light
brownish, ellipsoid, c 2 mm; a d white, c. 0.8 mm,
like a cap on the proximal end of the seed.
Notes: The species is readily recognized by the con-
spicuous, imbricate bracts and the 3-lobed labellum
with emarginate median lobe, characters not found
in other species in the genus.
This collection was discovered by Supee S. Larsen
at the Chatuchak flower market in Bangkok. Unfor-
tunately the collection site was not precisely docu-
mented but vaguely mentioned as From the Laos bor-
der. Recently, however, the author received another
collection of the same species collected by Chawalit
Niyondham from NE Thailand at Nong Kai where a
bridge over the Mekong river joins Thailand and
Laos. It is probably not uncommon in this area.The
plant comes to the market in clusters of 20-40 speci-
mens, the base of each cluster forms one dense mass
of roots and rhizomes, c 10 cm diam and c 3 cm
thick. Some plants have thin stems, 10-20 cm tall,
while others have much coarser stems, as described
above, and shoots up to 40 cm. The crushed leaves
have a strong smell of Eucalyptus (or Cirrus). Flow-
ering July-August.
Material studied other than type: Niyomdham 5060.
Province Nong Khai, Bung Klaa, Phutok Noi, alt. un-
known, 21. 6. 1997 (BKF, M U ) . This material is
somewhat deviating, particularly the longer and nar-
rower leaves are conspicuous. More material is, how-
ever, necessary to evaluate whether this collection
deserves taxonomic recognition.
41 1
Fig. 2. Caulokaempferia bracteata. A. Habit, specimen with few flowers; B. Inflorescence of vigorous specimen with several
flowers. C. Flowers seen from back and front. Larsen 47337. - Del. Orathai Kirkaew.

412 Nord. J . Bot. 22(4) 2002

Fig. 3. Cuulokuempferiu violaceu. Habit. Part of type collection. Triboun 399. Scale bar 2 cm - Del. Orathai Kirkaew.

Nord. J. Bot. 22(4) 2002 413

3. Caulokaempferia violacea K. Larsen &
P. Triboun sp. nov.
Type: P. Triboun 399, Thailand, Loei Province, Phu
Rhua, open vegetation with scattered shrubs and
large areas where water is seeping over flat rocks and
boulders, covered by mosses, alt. 1300 m. 10. 8.
1998 (holo BK, is0 AAU, BKF).
Diagnosis: Caulokaempferia violacea K. Larsen &
P. Triboun sp. nov. C. albae K. Larsen & R.M. Smith
affinis a qua differt floribus violaceis, labello bilobo
ad basin cum macula flava, crista antherae reflexa
angusta bifida, vagina folii superi florum solitarium
a inflorescentia apicali separata subtendenti, capsula
multo longiore, seminibus velutinis. - Figg. 3-4.
Herb with short rhizome and several roots with stor-
age tubers. Pseudostem up to 50 cm tall, c 5 mm
diam; leaves 4-7, leaf sheaths finely pubescent;
ligule rounded, 1-2 mm; base of leaf cordate,
amplexicaul, auriculate; lamina lanceolate, broadest
just above the base, 10-14 by 2.5-3-5 cm, glabrous,
apex attenuate. Inflorescence surrounded by the up-
permost leaf sheath with a reduced lamina, 10-45 by
5-10 mm, subtending 1 flower; this is followed by 3-
4 bracts, very thin, translucent, 55 (lowest)-40 by 11-
8 mm, each subtending 1-2 flowers; bracteoles ex-
tremely thin, length c 1/3 of the bracts. Ovary 13 by
2 mm (when flowers begin wilting). Calyx tubular,
23 by 6 mm with 3-lobed, ciliate apex. Corolla tube
c 5 cm long, 1 mm diam at base, 3 mm below the in-
sertion of the lobes; corolla lobes narrowly lanceo-
late, dorsal lobe 18 by 8 mm, lateral lobes 16 by 5
mm; staminodes violet, obovate with wavy margin,
26 by 12 mm. Labellum violet with a yellow spot at
base, 3.2 by 3 cm, broadly deltoid when spread,
bilobed with lobes subacute. Stylodial glands
subulate, c 5 mm. Filament 3-4 mm; anther yellow,
hairy on the dorsal side, c 10 mm with confluent
pollensacs, opening by one slit; anther crest
reflexed, narrow, bifid, 2-3 mm. Fruit a fleshy,
trigonous, 3-locular capsule, 4-4.5 by 0.6-0.7 cm,
opening by the 3 outer walls splitting from apex
downwards leaving a central column with the seeds.
Seeds ovoid, c 4 mm, velutinous, light brown; aril
white, forming an irregularly divided cap at the
proximal end. - Figs 3-4.
Notes: From the related species C. alba and C.
thailandica this species is readily distinguished by
the bilobed labellum.
The author visited the site at Phu Rhua 29h Aug.
1998 and found the species abundant about 1000 m
alt. at a place called Pha Sun Thong. In August 1999
414
the type locality was visited by Mr Pramote and fur-
ther material collected. The species is found at sev-
eral places between 800 - 1400 m alt. Flowering July
to August. The species has been in cultivation in the
greenhouses at the University of Aarhus for two
years and flowered each year in July-August.
Discussion
The genus Caulokaempferia was established by the
author (1964) as distinct from Kaempferia L. This
has recently been strongly supported by molecular
studies (Kress & al. 2002). Since the overview of the
genus in Larsen, Lock, Maas & Maas (1968), how-
ever, my knowledge of Caulokaempferia has en-
larged considerable. First of all by the study of sev-
eral populations in natural habitats and collecting of
fruiting material which has previously been very
scarce in herbaria. This has given important new in-
formation on fruit morphology and dispersal biology
and probably also justifies a taxonomic recognition
of two distinct groups. So far the molecular and
cladistic analysis has been based on material of two
species belonging to the first of the groups below,
the yellow-flowered species as species of the second
group has not been in culture. Further phylogenetic
studies with material of both groups are in progress.
1. The yellow-flowered species
When Larsen & Smith (1972) described the white-
flowered Caulokaempferia alba we discussed whether
it could be placed within the genus Caulokaemp-
feria, which was known only by the few species
listed in Larsen (1964). We decided that even if it
deviated in a number of characters, it was best
accomodated here. The yellow-flowered species
have mostly thin, often curved pseudostem with very
thin leaves. The species are found in shady habitats
along streams, very often growing in moss on boul-
ders in the stream. C. bracteatu does, however,
developes a thicker pseudostem than the other yel-
low-flowered species and the seeds are provided with
a cap-like arillus. The inflorescence is always pro-
duced beyond the uppermost leaf sheath. Where the
fruit has been observed, it is a green, unilocular, el-
lipsoid capsule opening by one slit finally forming a
large, oval window. The seeds are very small and
borne on a central, very short placenta, they are also
covered by a dense indumentum of soft hairs. Splash
cup dispersal is suggested, and the air retained
among the hairs keeps the seeds floating. It is there-
fore also interesting to find C. saxicola K. Larsen,
Nord. J. Bot. 22(4) 2002
Fig 4. Caulokaempferia viotacea. Upper left. Flower. Upper right Infructescence with open capsule. Lower left Flowering speci-
mens. Lower right. Small population from the type locality at Phu Rhua. Triboun 399. - Photo P. Triboun.

Nord. 1. Bor. 22(4) 2002 415

described from c 1200 m alt. in the Khao Yai Na-
tional Park, along streams at the foothill of the
mountain at an altitude about 300 m. This is the
fruiting and dispersal biology described by Larsen &
al. (1998) for the genus. The type species of the ge-
nus, C. linearis (Wall.) K. Larsen, belong to this
group. The distribution ranges from Bhutan through
Myanmar to S. China and in Thailand from the north
to the Penisular provinces.
2. The whitish- to violet-flowered species
This group has white, pale violet or creamy to faintly
pink flowers. So far the group is restricted to the ta-
ble mountains on the Korat Plateau in NE Thailand
and nearby Laos where a species has recently been
discovered (Larsen ined.). These mountains consist
of sandstone and rise to 1000 -1400 m altitude. The
summit is formed as a more or less flat plateau often
covered by open grassland with few scattered trees
and shrubs. In the rainy season the soil is often wa-
terlogged. This plant community is rich in
endemisms such as species of Viola, Eriocaulon,
Primula, and Impatiens. Many of these table moun-
tains are still undercollected. The species belonging
to this group have all a fairly robust pseudostem of-
ten somewhat inflated at the leaf sheaths; the lamina
is fairly thick, slightly succulent. The inflorescence
is never produced beyond the uppermost leaf sheath
and often a flower develops in the uppermost leaf-
axil. The flowers are never golden yellow. The most
remarkable morphological character is found in the
fruit which is a long, straight, fleshy, 3-locular cap-
sule dehiscing by three, succulent valves which re-
coil from apex to base disclosing a central columnar
placenta and few, relatively large seeds with a well
developed aril. These species do not grow along
streams as the yellow flowered ones, but in open
vegetation among moss, areas in which the soil in
the rainy season is permanently wet. The large seeds
will fall close to the mother plant and are probably
spread by ants.
Until the relationships between these groups have
been satisfactorily elucidated through molecular
studies the author has chosen to keep the two groups
united in the genus Caulokaempferia. A revision of
the genus is planned and I should be grateful for any
additional material. The genus has so far been re-
corded from Northern India, Bhutan, N. Bangla
Desh(?), Myanmar, S. China, Vietnam, Laos, and
Thailand.
416
Key to the species in Thailand
1. Flowers yellow, inflorescence free of the upper
leaf sheath, ovary unilocular, fruit ellipsoid,
dehiscing by a large oval slit, seeds small, with-
out or with diminutive aril; stem very thin ........ 2
1. Flowers white, pinkish or pale violet, inflores-
cence within the upper leaf sheath, ovary 3-locu-
lar, fruit elongate, dehiscing by 3 valves, seeds
larger
- enclosed in a white aril; stem rather robust
................................................................................ 6
2. Bracts with a leafy appendix, lateral staminodes
auriculate ................................ 2 . C. appendiculata
2. Bracts without a leafy appendix, lateral sta-
minodes not auriculate ......................................... 3
3. Bracts broad, labellum 3-lobed .... 4. C. bracteata
3. Bracts narrow, labellum 2-lobed or entire ..........4
4. Anther crest broad ............................ 6. C. saxicola
4. Anther crest narrow ............................................... 5
5. Anther crest erect ......................... 5. C. saksuwanii
5. Anther crest recurved ........................... 3. C. kuapii
6. Flowers pure white .................................. 1. C. alba
6. Flowers not pure white ......................................... 7
7. Flowers pinkish, labellum saccate, entire ..............
...................................................... I. C. thailandica
7. Flowers violet, labellum flat, broadly deltoid,
bilobed .............................................. 8. C. violaceu
Acknowledgements - The author is indebted to P.
Triboun and P. Suksathan for help in the field and to
Dr B. 0llgaard for latinizing the diagnosis. Orathai
Kirdkeaw made the line drawings. Anni Sloth has,
skilfully, helped with the lay out of the plates. Part
of the study was done during a stay at the Forest Her-
barium (BKF), Royal Forest Department, I am in-
debted to the director, Dr Chawalit Niyomdham for
good working conditions in the herbarium and valu-
able information on various Zingiberaceae including
Caulokaempferia. Also Thai Airways International is
thanked for assistance in various ways. The Carls-
berg Foundation is thanked for financing the publi-
cation of this paper and supporting a visit to the her-
baria at Kew and Edinburgh.
References
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Nord. J. Bot. 22(4) 2002
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