Etlingera lacerata (Alpinieae, Zingiberaceae), a new ginger species discovered in Mindanao Island, Philippines

Abstract

During our continued expeditions in Mindanao Island of southern Philippines, a new species, Etlingera lacerata Naive, was discovered and is herein described and illustrated. Resembling Etlingera amomoides closely, it is easily distinguished by its turbinate spike with a tapering tip and a red labellum adorned with occasional white spots along the lacerate margin. This study includes a comprehensive species description, colored photographs, phenology, habitat details, geographical information, and a provisional conservation assessment for this new endemic Etlingera species. With this discovery, the total of known Etlingera species in the Philippines rises to 18, with 12 of them being endemic to the archipelago.