A new generic record of Indian Costaceae with the discovery of new species Parahellenia mizoramensis from Northeast India

Abstract

Parahellenia mizoramensis sp. nov. from Costaceae is described and illustrated as a new species from Northeast India (Mizoram) and represents the only existing species under the genus from India. It differs from its allied species, Parahellenia tonkinensis (Gagnep.) Juan Chen, N.H. Xia, L.Y. Zeng, S. Jin Zeng, and Parahellenia yunnanensis S. Jin Zeng, N.H. Xia, L.Y. Zeng, and Juan Chen by the size and shape of axillary buds, wider bracts, longer calyx and corolla lobes, crenulate margin of labellum, prominent overlapping of labellum margin to form trumpet-shaped, presence of bright red streaks in anther crest, and shape of dorsal appendage in stigma. The newly described species is provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) based on the available data as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Categories and Criteria.

Keywords

• Costaceae
• Indo-Burma hotspot
• Mizoram
• Parahellenia mizoramensis
• Parahellenia tonkinensis
• Parahellenia yunnanensis