On the identity of turmeric: the typification of Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae)

Abstract

Although Curcuma L. (Zingiberaceae) is a conserved name, with C. longa L. as its conserved type, the type of C. longa is still uncertain. Numerous discussions about the identity of the taxon called C. longa by Linnaeus have been followed by various attempts to rename turmeric, suggestions as how to settle the type and proposals to conserve the name from a later author in order to stabilize the situation. Unfortunately, none of the previous proposals can be upheld for reasons which are discussed in this article. A lectotype is selected from extant material examined by Linnaeus and an epitype collected near the type locality is designated here. The identity of C. longa is discussed and a colour plate of the species is included. Synonyms of C. longa and their types are discussed and notes on the variability of C. longa are provided.

Genetic diversity patterns in Curcuma reflect differences in genome size

“…Two analysed populations of C. longa did not cluster together. They may have originated from different cultivars or cryptic taxa (Leong‐Škorničková et al ., 2007, 2008b).…”

“…sexual, vegetative or both) and ploidy (6 x , 9 x , 15 x ; ploidy levels represented by just one population were excluded), a non‐parametric Kruskall–Wallis test was performed in PAST (Hammer, Harper & Ryan, 2001), as sampling did not meet the criterion of classical ANOVA of independence among observations (uneven number of population per species). The ‘population’ of C. longa L. (Kerala) was removed from the analysis because we suspected that this sample was an artificial mixture of different cultivars or even species (see Leong‐Škorničková et al ., 2008b).…”

Transfer of Kaempferia candida to Curcuma (Zingiberaceae) based on morphological and molecular data

“…The typification of historical taxa in Zingiberaceae has never been a straightforward issue (Škorničková and Sabu 2005, Leong‐Škorničková et al 2008, 2010). While in a previous work Jenjittikul and Larsen (2000) indicated that the Wallich specimen, Wall.…”

Back to types! Towards stability of names in Indian Curcuma L. (Zingiberaceae)

“…This sheet is selected here as the lectotype. For the complex taxonomic history of C. longa and designation of lecto-, epi-and neotypes of the names involved see Leong-Škorničková & al. (2008b).…”