Two new records of Boesenbergia Kuntze (Zingiberaceae: Zingibereae) for the Flora of Myanmar

PIYAPORN SAENSOUK (Diversity of Family Zingiberaceae and Vascular Plant for Its Applications Research Unit, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University. Kantarawichai District 44150, Maha Sarakham, Thailand)
SURAPON SAENSOUK (Diversity of family Zingiberaceae and Vascular Plant for Its Applications Research Unit, Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute, Mahasarakham University. Kantarawichai District 44150, Maha Sarakham, Thailand)
THAWATPHONG BOONMA (Brio Botanical Research Garden. 53 M.5 Phikun-Ok, Ban Na 26110, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand)
WIN PAING OO (Native Species Conservation and Identification Myanmar. Mandalay City 05031, Mandalay Region, Myanmar)
NYI MIN HTET (Native Species Conservation and Identification Myanmar. Mandalay City 05031, Mandalay Region, Myanmar)
CHARUN MAKNOI (Romklao Botanic Garden, The Botanical Garden Organization. Phra Ram Damri, PO Box 12, Chat Trakan District 65170, Phitsanulok, Thailand)
BHANUBONG BONGCHEEWIN (Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University. 447 Sri-Ayuthaya Rd, Rajathevi 10400, Bangkok, Thailand)
NYI NYI HTWAY (Native Species Conservation and Identification Myanmar. Mandalay City 05031, Mandalay Region, Myanmar)
HEIN MYAT MINN (Native Species Conservation and Identification Myanmar. Mandalay City 05031, Mandalay Region, Myanmar)

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity
Vol. 26 No. 1 (2025)

Abstract. Saensouk P, Saensouk S, Boonma T, Oo WP, Htet NM, Maknoi C, Bongcheewin B, Htway NN, Minn HM. 2025. Two new records of Boesenbergia Kuntze (Zingiberaceae: Zingibereae) for the Flora of Myanmar. Biodiversitas 26: 480-489. This study reported two new records of Boesenbergia for Myanmar: Boesenbergia meghalayensis Aishwarya & M.Sabu, found in Yangon Region, and B. siphonantha (King ex Baker) M.Sabu, Prasanthk. & Škorni?k., found in Kayin State and Mon State. The study aimed to confirm the presence of these species in Myanmar through comprehensive taxonomic analysis based on morphological observations of living specimens collected from their natural habitats. Additionally, to expand the known distribution of Boesenbergia and support ongoing efforts to document the region's rich botanical diversity. Morphological characteristics were analyzed using specimens from natural habitats and compared with taxonomic literature and herbarium records. This study confirmed the presence of B. meghalayensis in Yangon Region and B. siphonantha in Kayin and Mon States as new records for Myanmar, along with verifying B. plicata in the Bago Region. These findings expand the distribution of Boesenbergia in Myanmar, providing an updated checklist and emphasizing the importance of taxonomic research for conservation and preserving the country’s plant diversity.