Systematic and variability studies on ‘hidden purple ginger’, Curcuma inodora Blatter J. (Zingiberaceae) – an endemic promising ginger from Peninsular India

Abstract

Ornamental horticulture has become an important commercial trade area in India through the steady increase in demand for cut flowers, and potted and landscape plants. India has a rich distribution of many wild gingers and their ornamental potential is yet to be exploited. The present study is a step towards using the potential ornamental value of Indian wild gingers and creating knowledge and awareness about the need for conservation and for detailed study of native wild ornamental plants in societies, local peoples, students and horticulturists. With these objectives, one endemic species with high ornamental potential, Curcuma inodora Blatter J., was selected and detailed studies were conducted. All the specimens collected were successfully conserved at the Calicut University Botanical Garden.

Keywords:

• Curcuma inodora
• hidden purple ginger
• potential ornamental ginger
• soil analysis
• taxonomy
• variability
• Zingiberaceae

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, New Delhi for the financial assistance to the research project on ‘Potential Ornamental Gingers: Domestication, Improvement and Development of Agrotechniques’ (BT/PR/5275/PBD/16/917/2011 dt. 15.03.2012.). We express our thanks to Mr Mohammed Shameer Cheriyath for his help in the field.