Reinstatement and revision of the genus Adelmeria (Zingiberaceae) endemic to the Philippines

Abstract

In 1909, Ridley published Adelmeria characterized by its congested terminal inflorescence with large persistent floral bracts. All five species at some point placed in Adelmeria were synonymized in Alpinia by Loesener and subsequent authors. Several phylogenetic studies revealed that Alpinia is highly polyphyletic, suggesting that it should be split into several genera. In the present study, we sampled all five species initially placed in Adelmeria plus additional ones with a similar morphology. The combined analysis of the ITS and trnK/matK regions showed that these species formed a strongly supported monophyletic group inside the Alpinia eubractea clade of the tribe Alpinieae. Although not completely diagnostic, the following morphological characters separate Adelmeria from most of the species currently inside the Alpinia eubractea clade: bilobed ligules; congested inflorescences; utricular bracteoles; sessile flowers; crestless anthers; obovoid fruits. Considering this molecular and morphological evidence, the recognition of Adelmeria is highly justified. In this present paper, we reinstate the genus which is endemic to the Philippines and provide a comprehensive taxonomic revision including a discussion of the application of the name Elmeria. A key to nine species of Adelmeria, four of which (A. dicranochila, A. isarogensis, A. leonardoi, A. undulata) are new to science, is provided as well as full descriptions and preliminary conservation assessments. Interestingly, monoecy was observed in A. oblonga and reported for the first time for Adelmeria. Four lectotypes and one epitype are designated in this study.

Plagiostachys lourdesiae (Zingiberaceae), a new species from Mindanao, Philippines

“…the characters used by Smith were scattered within the three major subclades of Plagiostachys ). The latter paper, as well as recent molecular studies in tribe Alpinieae (Kress et al , De Boer et al , Docot et al ), also demonstrated that Plagiostachys is within the Alpinia zerumbet clade where the bulk of Alpinia Roxb. species are nested.…”

Using molecular data to test the generic placement of a new and unusual ginger species from the Philippines

“…The DNeasy Plant Mini Kit was used to extract total genomic DNA following the manufacturer's protocol. The ITS and trn K/ mat K regions of the new species were amplified using Docot et al (2019b) PCR mix and thermal profile. PCR products were sent to Macrogen (Seoul, Korea) for purification and sequencing.…”

Sulettaria, a new ginger genus in the flora of the Philippines

“…In 2018, De Boer et al recircumscribed the genus Amomum Roxb., which for the Philippine flora resulted in the addition of Meistera Giseke and Wurfbainia Giseke and bringing the number of genera to 16. In a first step towards recircumscribing the genus Alpinia , Docot et al (2019) reinstated the genus Adelmeria Ridl. endemic to the Philippines, thus reaching 17 as the current number of ginger genera in the country.…”