Bioscience Discovery, 8(3): 311-319, July - 2017 © RUT Printer and Publisher Print & Online, Open Access, Research Journal Available on http://jbsd.in ISSN: 2229-3469 (Print); ISSN: 2231-024X (Online) Research Article Zingiberaceae of Kalatungan Mountain Range, Bukidnon, Philippines Mark Arcebal K. Naïve Department of Biology, Central Mindanao University, University Town, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon 8714, Philippines [email protected] Article Info Abstract Received: 16-05-2017, A floristic study of the family Zingiberaceae in the Kalatungan Mountain Range, Revised: 19-06-2017, Bukidnon, Philippines has been carried out from April 2015 to March 2016. Accepted: 22-06-2017 Samples of Zingiberaceae were directly collected during trekking and searching along the trail. The samples were processed to herbarium specimens and, where Keywords: possible, identified. Based on the analysis of morphological characters, twelve Alpinia apoensis, Bukidnon, species of Zingiberaceae were identified; Alpinia alpina, Alpinia apoensis, Etlingera pandanicarpa, Alpinia haenkei, Etlingera cf. alba, Etlingera pandanicarpa, Etlingera Kalatungan Mountain philippinensis, Etlingera sp. 1, Etlingera sp. 2, Globba campsophylla, Range, Zingiberaceae Hornstedtia lophophora, Zingiber banahaoense, Zingiber sp. 1. I have suggested further research for Etlingera sp. 1, Etlingera sp. 2 and Zingiber sp. 1 on its possibility as species new to science. INTRODUCTION work on Philippine Zingiberaceae since Merrill’s The ginger family, Zingiberaceae, is a magnum opus in 1925, and studies on the ecology, monocot family and is the largest of 8 families in distribution, and ethnobotany of the family are few order Zingiberales. According to Lamb et al. and outdated. Further, many existing taxonomic (2013), the family consists of more than 1500 treatments don’t have keys, illustrations, or species in 53 genera, which can be mostly found in complete descriptions of species, making wild tropical forests. Southeast Asia is especially rich, specimens in this taxon difficult to identify. Given with about 80% of all the known species. In the the increasing pace of forest destruction and loss of Philippines, there are 14 genera, and over 107 traditional knowledge, it is likely that some species, however, those are only the named species unknown or poorly known gingers face extinction (Pelser et al., 201). The family serves as an before their medicinal or other uses can be fully important natural resource that provides useful explored. products for food, spices and condiments, The Kalatungan Mountain Range is medicines, dyes, perfumes and aesthetics to man considered to be one of the highest mountain ranges (Bhunia & Mondal, 2012). The most recent in the Philippines. It was declared as a Natural Park classification recognizes 4 subfamilies and 6 tribes: on the 5th day of May 2000, under proclamation Siphonochiloideae (Siphonochileae), Tamijioideae 305. It has an area of 37,550.27 hectares with a (Tamijieae), Alpinioideae (Riedelieae, Alpinieae) maximum elevation of 2,824 m above sea level. It and Zingiberoideae (Zingibereae, Globbeae) (Kress lies between the coordinates 8°00’ and 8°60’ et al., 2004). latitude and between 124°35’ and 124°60’ At present, there has been little taxonomic longitude. The mountain harbors a diverse flora and http://biosciencediscovery.com 311 ISSN: 2231-024X (Online) Mark Arcebal K. Naïve fauna amongst its numerous rivers and the Leaflets of Philippine Botany Volume VII and waterfalls, a lake and small wetland area, cliffs, VIII of A.D.E. Elmer (1908-1910, 1915-1919). In caves and rock formations that provide habitats for addition, type specimens of the family in JSTOR wildlife (Naive et al., 2017). The said mountain were also used for the identification of the range supports diverse vegetation types and is rich Zingiberaceae species. Collection numbers of the in plant genetic resources including gingers. recent collections, were given the initials MAKN, To date, taxonomic studies of which stands for Mark Arcebal Kling Naive. Zingiberaceae in Kalatungan Mountain Range have not yet been conducted. Thus, this study was done RESULTS AND DISCUSSION to gather benchmark information on the There was a total of 12 species belonging to Zingiberaceae species present in the area, which are Family Zingiberaceae recorded from Kalatungan thought to be undocumented and to a larger extent, Mountain Range, Bukidnon, Philippines namely: undescribed. The aim of this study is to enumerate Alpinia alpina (Elmer) R.M. Sm. ex M.F. Newman, the Zingiberaceae species present in the area. Lhuillier & A.D. Poulsen, Alpinia apoensis Ridl., Taxonomic and ecological data of the plants are Alpinia haenkei C. Presl, Etlingera cf. alba (Blume) important information for efficient biological A.D. Poulsen, Etlingera pandanicarpa (Elmer) resource management for the natural park. A.D. Poulsen, Etlingera philippinensis (Ridl.) R.M. Sm., Etlingera sp. 1, Etlingera sp. 2, Globba MATERIALS AND METHODS campsophylla K. Schum., Hornstedtia lophophora, The survey was conducted in Kalatungan Zingiber banahaoense Mood and Theilade, and Mountain Range focusing on the trail of Mount Zingiber sp. 1. These species belong to 5 genera, 2 Nabukalan, Kalatungan Mountain Range, subfamilies (Alpinioideae and Zingiberoideae) and Bukidnon. Gingers were collected along the trail three tribes (Alpinieae, Globbeae and Zingibereae) between the camps. Plant collection and observation (Table 1). The genus Etlingera has the highest was done from April 2015 to March 2016. number with 5 species, followed by Alpinia with 3 Collected plants were pressed for herbarium species. Based on the checklist of Pelser et al. (2011 specimens and parts of flowers and fruits (if onwards), this study has found 36% of the total 14 available) were preserved in 70% ethanol for spirit genera and 11.21% of the 107-species found in the collection. Specimens were deposited in Central Philippines. Brief descriptions or short notes, where Mindanao University Herbarium (CMUH). appropriate, are provided below. Identification was mainly based on the prologues of Table 1. List of gingers species found in Kalatungan Mountain Range. No. Tribe Genus No. of species 1 Alpinieae Alpinia 3 2 Etlingera 5 3 Hornstedtia 1 4 Globbeae Globba 1 5 Zingibereae Zingiber 2 TOTAL 12 Alpinieae A. Rich or absent and never petaloid, labellum never Alpinieae is an evergreen herb. This tribe is connate to filament, having a medium length of characterized by the plane of distichy of leaves is filament that is sometimes arching, anther crest transverse to direction of rhizome, having fibrous petaloid or absent, ovary trilocular, placentation is rhizome rather than fleshy, lack of extract oral axial or free central and capsule is indehiscent or nectaries, lateral staminodes are much more reduced fleshy. http://jbsd.in 312 ISSN: 2229-3469 (Print) Bioscience Discovery, 8(3): 311-319, July - 2017 1. Alpinia Roxb. Ecology: It grows in shaded localities with The genus is easily distinguished by its terminal humid environment in montane forest at elevations inflorescence on leafy shoot, which is emerging of between 1500 to 1900 m asl. above its uppermost leaf sheath, rarely appearing Vernacular name: Not recorded. lateral and if so then not densely congested and Uses: Not recorded. labellum large and showy. 1.3 Alpinia haenkei C. Presl. Symb. Bot.: 66, pl., 1.1 Alpinia alpina (Elmer) R.M.Sm. ex t.43. (1832) M.F.Newman, Lhuillier & A.D.Poulsen Specimen examined: Philippines, Mindanao, Checklist of the Zingiberaceae of Malesia, Bukidnon, Kalatungan Mountain Range, elev. 1352 Blumea Suppl.: 16:7. (2004) m, 31st October 2015, MAKN 03/2015 (CMUH). Specimen examined: Philippines, Mindanao, Terrestrial herbaceous plant that grows up Bukidnon, Kalatungan Mountain Range, elev. 1773 to 2 m tall. Rhizome reddish, creeping, 5 to 10 cm m, 31st October 2015, MAKN 01/2015 (CMUH). in diameter. Leaf distichous, broadly lanceolate, 65 Terrestrial herb that grows up to 2 m tall. to 67 cm long by 10-11 cm wide. Margin entire to Rhizome creeping, reddish when young, greenish wavy with fine hairs. Leaves adaxially and when mature, measures 6 to 11 cm in diameter. abaxially pubescent, base oblique, apex broadly Leaves sessile, lanceolate, 30 to 33 cm long by 10 acuminate, petiole 4 to 6 cm long, ligule bifid, to 13 cm wide. Young leaves purplish beneath. oblong shaped per lobed, reddish, 2.2 cm long. Base rounded, apex acuminate, margins entire to Inflorescence terminal, racemose, 20-35 cm long, sinuate, and glabrous. Leaf sheaths have purple racemous. Fruit round to oblong, 2 to 3 cm long by streaks when young, ligule bifid, membranous, 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter, pubescent all throughout. greenish margins. Inflorescence terminal and cone- Green when immature and red when ripe. shape. Infructescence terminal. Fruit hard and shiny Distribution: Kalatungan Mountain Range. dark green, glabrous, 0.7 to 1 cm long and Ecology: It grows in shaded to open canopy elongated. Bracts greenish red, glabrous margins. localities at elevations of between 1300 to 1900 m No inflorescence was observed, only asl. infructescence. Vernacular: Not recorded. Distribution: Kalatungan Mountain Range. Uses: Not recorded. Ecology: It grows mostly at high elevations 2. Etlingera Giseke of between 1700 to 2100 m in deeply shaded Characterized by having an inflorescence separate localities on upper montane to mossy forests with from the 1-8 m tall leafy shoot, involucre of tightly humid environment. overlapping bracts sterile bracts,