The genus of Alpinia Roxb, with about 250 species worldwide and 35 species in Vietnam, is one of the largest genera of the Zingiberaceae family. Many species of Alpinia, such as Alpinia oblongifolia and Alpinia oxyphylla, are used in Vietnamese traditional medicine. In this research, Alpinia graminifolia, a new species discovered in the mountains of Northern Vietnam (Quang Ninh province and Bac Giang province), was recorded for Vietnam’s flora. The specimens collected in Uong Bi City, Thuong Yen Cong commune, Mount Yen Tu (Quang Ninh province) and Son Dong district, Thanh Luan commune (Bac Giang province), are deposited at Vietnam National Museum of Nature (VNMN), the herbarium of Hanoi University of Pharmacy (HNIP), and the herbarium of the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (HN).
Summary of characteristics Alpinia vietnamica: Clump-forming herb 3–9(16) pseudostems, 1-1,2(-1,5) m hight. Ligules entire to bilobed; Lamina oblong, 22-42×6-8 cm, glabrous. Inflorescence terminal raceme, erect, 15-25 cm long. Peduncular bract one, ca. 7 cm long, green with brownish red tinge, caducous; Bracteole tubular. Flower 5,8-6,2 cm long, Calyx tubular, dark red, 24–27×7–9 cm, with unilateral slit 14–15 mm long, apex 2 lobed; Floral tube 1,8-2 cm long, Dorsal corolla lobe obovate, white, concave, 3,2–3,6×1,9–2,2 cm, sometimes with reddish tinge at apex, lateral corolla lobes oblong, 3,2–3,7×1,0–1,1 cm. Labellum ovate, 3-lobed, 4,2–4,8×4–4,3 cm (at basal lobes) - 22–29 (at apical lobe), basal lobes with very dense red stripes running from base to margin and sparser at the top, margin 2 on the bottom yellow; Lateral staminodes subulate, 3-5 mm long, red with yellow apex; filament ca. 2 cm long, red at base, turning cream towards apex, anther 2-lobes, 1,8-1,9 cm long, connective tissue yellow. Epigynous glands two, cream, 2,5-3 mm long; Ovary ovoid, 5,5-6,5×4,5-5 mm, green, densely pubescent; Style ca. 6 cm, stigma clubshaped, margin ciliate. Fruit globose, 1,8-2,4 cm in diam., calyx persistent on the top fruit (See fig.).
New: Dr. Nguyen Quoc Binh
Link: Alpinia vietnamica (Zingiberaceae), a new species from central Vietnam trên tạp chí Ann. Bot. Fennici 56: 221–226