Proceedings of the Second Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae
Editors: Wu, Te-Lin; Wu, Qi-Gen; Chen, Z.-Y.
Symposium held in Guangzhou on May 9-12, 1995
publ. by Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou - 510 275, Peoples Republic of China
ISBN 7-306-01218-5
Language: English
v, 306 pp., ill.

table of contents

Title: The family Zingiberaceae and the "Flora of the Philippines" project
Author(s): Domingo A. Madulid
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 1-9.
The Philippines has a rich Zingiberaceae flora, with a total of 12 genera and 99 species recorded for the country so far. The largest genus in Alpinia with 40 species, followed by Amomum (19 species), Globba (12 species), Zingiber (10 species), and Plagiostachys (6 species). Hedychium, Kaempferia and Curcuma have two species each, while Boesenbergia, Etlingera, Leptosolena and Vanoverberghia have 1 species each. Two genera are monotypic and endemic to the country, i.e. Leptosolena and Vanoverberghia while 85 species, representing 86 % of the total species are endemic to the country. This relatively high generic and species endemism of Zingiberaceae is not common to other flowering plant families in the Philippines, except for Orchidaceae, Rubiaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Leguminosae, and a few other families. Many of the zingiberaceous species are restricted in their distribution and are found in specific habitats. Most species are found in primary forests in the lowlands and only few reach 1,000 m altitude and above.

Title: The Zingiberaceae in the Malesian region
Author(s): Kai Larsen
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 10-14.
For more than 30 years the author has been working with the Zingiberaceae mainly in Thailand and the Indo-Chinese region. Recently co-authorship on the family for the new English version Flora of China has been planned with Prof. Wu Te-Lin. These are all regions with a rich zingiberaceous flora, Thailand with ca. 200 species, China with a similar amount, and Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam with ca. 150 species, so far as we know. No region, however, is comparable to the Malesian because it shows the highest diversity of species in the world, with 650 - 700 species, or more than half of the family, and every new expedition brings back undescribed taxa. As the author has been asked to be coordinator for the revision of the family for Flora Malesiana, all persons interested in doing revisionary work in this region should contact him on the address below. Please note that fax and telephone numbers are not the same as cited in the abstract volume of the Second Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae. In the present paper an overview of the family in Malesia and the status of our knowledge of the 26 genera represented is given. The scope has also been to bring in focus some of the problems that the family presents to those who eventually will have to revise it for Flora Malesiana. In the presentation the Costaceae is regarded as a separate family, clearly distinct from the Zingiberaceae, a view supported by most taxonomists and phylogenists today. The numbers given in brackets after the generic names are the known number of species. They will undoubtedly increase for most genera as the revision proceeds. Where a specialist has been assigned to a genus, this is mentioned.

Title: Taxonomic revision of South Indian Zingiberaceae
Author(s): M. Sabu; J. K. Mangaly
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 15-22.
Abstract: The Zingiberaceae in South India is revised. India has a rich diversity of zingiberaceous plants, i.e., about 44 % of the genera and 16 % of the world taxa occur in India. In S. India, this family is represented by I1 genera and 55 species. Some taxonomic problems associated with identification of a problematic genus Curcuma is solved. A list of all species described from this area is provided here. 5 new species and 3 new distributional records were established. One genus, 12 species and one variety are endemic to S. India. The important floristic affinity of the taxa is with those in N. E. India, Malesia and Sri Lanka. Due to deforestation, urbanization and shifting cultivation, many species are endangered. Many species of Amomum, Alpinia, Curcuma, Costus, Elettaria, Kaempferia and Zingiber are with considerable economic potential. Their uses in Ayurvedic and other native systems of medicine are included.

Title: The Zinigiberaceae in "Flora of China"
Author(s): Te-Lin Wu
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 23-27.
The Zingiberaceae has aroused Chinese taxonomists' great interest since it was published in "Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae" in 1981. Through recent investigation on Zingiberaceae in Yunnan, Guangxi and Hainan provinces of China, many new taxa were discovered there. Twenty-one genera and 209 species of Zingiberaceae will be included in an English version "Flora of China" (see appendix). The number of species will increase by thirty percent as compared with that in the "Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae". The new added genera are Elettariopsis and Pyrgophyllum, the former was first discovered by the author in Hainan Island in 1990, and the latter was published by the author and Prof. Z. Y. Chen in 1989 as a new genus. It differs from Caulokaempferia in having large lamina-like bracts. The margin of bract is adnate to the main axis of inflorescence at the base and the basic chromosome number is 21. Achasma will be transferred to Etlingera , and Roscoea will have a larger change according to the treatise of Cowley in 1982. Besides these, Paramomun, which was described by S. Q. Tong as a new genus in 1985, will be merged into Amomum. Plagiostachys elliptica S. Q. Tong & Y. M. Xia will be transferred to Zingiber, and a new combination, Z. ellipticum (S . Q. Tong & Y. M. Xia) Q. G. Wu & T. L. Wu, will be established. The number of new species will greatly increase in Amomum, Hedychium and Zingiber. The Zingiberaceae in the "Flora of China" will be compiled by the author and Prof K. Larsen and put into volume 24, but the exact publication date remains unknown.

Title: Philippine Alpinia
Author(s): Esperanza Maribel G. Agoo
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 28-30.
Abstract: There are 40 species of Alpinia belonging to 2 subgenera, Alpinia (Sections Kolowratia and Alpinia) and Dieramalpinia (Sections Eubractea, Myriobractea and Dieramalpinia). 37 species are endemic to the country, a remarkably high record of endemicity, suggesting that the Philippines is a centre of evolution of the genus. The genus includes species formerly classified under the endemic genera Kolowratia and Adelmeria. The main morphological differences among the species are shapes of the labellum and presence of bracts and bracteoles. However, difficulty in resolving classification of certain species still occur primarily because of the absence of good study materials. Initial analysis of the distribution pattern shows that endemism was facilitated by isolation of the species within the major Pleistocene islands.

Title: A phenetic analysis of the genus Hedychium
Author(s): Tom Wood
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 31-38.
The genus Hedychium in the family Zingiberaceae consists of about 35 species mainly centred at higher altitudes in the circum-Himalayan region. There are, however, about ten species of lowland epiphytes in southeast Asia and two species each in the Philippines, Borneo and Java. Because of the very fragrant flowers of some species they have been distributed and have become naturalized far outside their natural range. Specific delimitation has been very confused mainly due to the ascription of specific status to every horticultural form by Roscoe' in his beautifully illustrated folio. He was not a botanist and his errors in classification were soon recognized by Wallich who divided the genus into four sections: Coronariae with short inflorescences and imbricate bracts, Spicatae with elongate inflorescences and tubular bracts, Siphonium for a single species since transferred to Kaempferia, and Brachychilum for the one species in which the labellum is reduced to a narrow flap of tissue, H. horsfieldii. The most recent attempt to subdivide the genus was by Schumann who similarly separated the short, dense-bracted imbricate inflorescence species into subgenus Gandasulium and the long inflorescence species with patent bracts in subgenus Euosmianthus. However, even in his treatment Gandasulium included H. cylindricum and hasseltii both of which had very elongate inflorescences and Euosmianthus contained H. thyrsiforme with a very short dense bracted spike. Modern taxonomists no longer use any of these systems in this genus. The inflorescence structure is very elastic as illustrated in Figures 1 - 8. The inflorescence axis can vary from about 5-25 cm long accomodating from approximately 5 to 80 fertile bracts but in widely divergent densities from 0. 28 to three and one half per centimeter. Inside these bracts (varying from 25 - 100 mm in length) is located a much reduced cincinnus of one to five flowers. The elongated corolla tube (12 - 175mm long) is supported by the coriaceous bract that may be appressed to the rachis, imbricate with adjacent bracts, or tubular and inclined at various angles up to perpendicular to the axis. The bracts can be irregularly disposed on the axis or arrayed in rows of six, eight or ten. The flowers themselves have a wide range of forms. The labellums can be orbicular to divided into two linear lobes or even absent and from 5 to 50 mm long.

Title: The genus Curcuma of Thailand
Author(s): Puangpen Sirirugsa
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 39-46.
Curcuma is the largest genus of the tribe Hedychieae in the family Zingiberaceae. It was first studied more than a century ago by Baker (1890) who reported 29 species in India. Since then several botanists have worked on this genus in SE Asia including Gagnepain (1908) in Indochina, Holttum (1950) on the Malay Peninsula, and Wu (1981) in South China. Roughly 100 species of Curcuma are now known to exist. In Thailand, Prof. Kai Larsen and I have revised the genus Curcuma for the Flora of Thailand. More than 40 species have been found to occur, with only 26 of these species being formally identified. The rest of them are currently under investigation. My study emphasizes the comparative morphology of the species, and the specimens that I have examined have come from herbaria both overseas and in Thailand, as well as living specimens collected from the field. Distinguishing characteristics and distribution of representative Curcuma species are presented in this report. Medicinal uses of some species will also be mentioned. Chromosome counts of several species of Curcuma in Thailand have also been studied. Some of these results are included on a poster at this symposium, and will be also discussed.

Title: An enumeration of Zingiberaceae of India
Author(s):
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 47-63.

Title: Pollen morphology of Zingiberiflorae with particular reference to the nature of the pollen wall
Author(s): Jyothi Nayar
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 64-73.
Abstract: In the light of pollen wall morphology and behaviour during germination in 29 species of Zingiberales, it is shown that the characteristic medine in this group is in fact the modified innermost region of exine (and not the intine, as currently held) and the "protoplasmic membrane" layer is the true intine. Distinct apertures occur in the medine layer as well as in the "protoplasmic membrane" layer of a majority of taxa, so that they cannot be classified as inaperturate. Evolutionary trends in apertural condition are discussed.

Title: Anatomical and morphological variations in Scaphochlamys kunstleri (Bak.) Holtt
Author(s): Khatijah Haji Hussin; Halijah Ibrahim; Anita Hashim
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 74-81.
Abstract: Variations of three variants of Scaphochlamys kunstleri were investigated. Morphological variations occur in their vegetative and floral characters which include the amount of purple colouration on the underside of leaves, the shape of the leaves, the shape and colour of inflorescence bract, the colour of the flower and labellum markings. Anatomical variations were observed in the shape of the midrib of the leaf and petiole in transverse sections and the number of vascular bundles in these sections.

Title: Fruit anatomy of Chinese Alpinia and its taxonomic significance
Author(s): Jing-Ping Liao; Qi-Gen Wu
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 82-90.
Introduction: Alpinia Roxb., including 250 species, is the largest genus of Zingiberaceae. The most classical and relatively comprehensive classification of this genus is Schumann's system (1904). In this system, Schumann divided Alpinia into five subgenera, and the classification of the first four was mainly based on bracts and especially on bracteoles, but the last subgenus was characterized by basal inflorescence. Based on the study of the species in Malaya, Holttum (1950) proposed that genus Alpinia should fall clearly into four groups in generic level, namely genera Catimbium, Cenolophon, Languas and Alpinia. In his system, Cenolophon included the subgenus Probolocalyx, and Languas was analogous to the subgenus Alpinia in Schumann's system. The subgenus Dieramalpinia in Schumann's system was treated as the genus Alpinia by Holttum. But Burtt and Smith (1972) pointed out that the genera Catimbium and Lunguas in the sense of Holttum were illegitimate. Te-Lin Wu, the Chinese taxonomist on Zingiberaceae, mainly inherited Schumann's system with some revisions in 1981. He canceled the subgenus Rhizalpinia. Furthermore, the position of some species was transferred from one subgenus to other, and the order of subgenera was also changed by him. In 1990, R. M. Smith proposed a new system of Alpinia . She divided this genus into 2 subgenera mainly based on the characters of labellum, at the same time 11 sections and 12 subsections were set up under the subgenera with the characters of bracts or bracteoles. And now, more and more researchers wonder which system should be adopted. It is possible that fruit anatomy could provide evidences for plant phylogenetic research and demonstrate the affinity among taxa concerned (Roth, 1977). But up to now , the character of fruit anatomy on Alpinia was only used to identify some Chinese drugs (Chen, 1984). The purpose of this paper is to probe the possibility of the utilization of fruit anatomy to provide information to analyse the relationship among infrageneric taxa and to revise the classifications of this genus.

Title: The significance of the seed anatomy of Chinese Alpinia in taxonomy and systematics
Author(s): Jing-Ping Liao; Qi-Gen Wu
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 91-106.
Alpinia Roxb., the largest genus of Zingiberaceae with important economic value, has been attracting the attention of many researchers, such as the taxonomists, anatomists, palynologists, cytotaxonomists, embryologists and phytochemists. Taxonomically, there are several essential systems of Alpinia classification worthy of mention: the Schumann's system (1904), the Holttum's system (1950), Te-Lin Wu's system (1981) and Smith's system (1990). Although these systems have historically played an -important role in classifying alpineous plants, they are merely the preliminary investigated results and should further be improved. It has been proved that seed anatomy could provide information to facilitate plant phylogenetic research and demonstrate the affinity among taxa concerned (Takhtajan, 1985). Early in the late nineteenth century, Tschirch (1891) and Humphrey (1896) contributed initiative work on seed anatomy of the Alpinia. However, valuable work in this field could hardly be found in the first half of the 20th century. Through pharmacognostics research into zingiberaceous crude drugs, Y. Kimura (1957a, 1957b, 1966, 1968, 1969) pushed the seed anatomic work of Alpinia forward. During the 80's in China, with the extensive and intensive investigation on pharmacognostics, the seed anatomy of Alpinia was further developed (such as Chen, 1984; Jia, 1985; Lai, 1989 and so on). In 1985, Takhtajan edited and published the famous book Comparative Anatomy of Seeds vol. 1 in which the seed anatomy of Alpinia was also mentioned. It is a pity that many studies on Alpinia seed anatomy have not been used in systematics of Alpinia. The purpose of this paper is to probe the possibility of the utilization of seed anatomy to provide information in analysing the relationship among infrageneric taxa and revising the classification of this genus.

Title: Chromosome counts of Thai Zingiberaceae
Author(s): Ladda Eksomtramage; Puangpen Sirirugsa; Sutum Mayakul
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 107-111.
Abstract: Chromosome numbers of 10 species of Thai Zingiberaceae were determined in root tips. All species investigated are in tribe Hedychieae, including 4 genera. The diploid numbers of those species studied are as follows: Boesenbergia curtisii (Baker) Schltr. 2n = 24, B . plicata (Ridl.) Holtt. and B. prainiana (Baker) Schltr. 2n = 20, Curcuma harmandii Gagnep. 2n = 20, Curcuma roscoeana Wall. 2n = 42, Curcumorpha longiflora (Wall.) Rao & Verma 2n = 20, Kaempferia angustifolia Rosc. 2n = 33, K. parviflora Wall., K. pulchra Ridl. and K. roscoeana Wall. 2n = 22. However, the diploid numbers of Curcumorpha longiflora (Wall.) Rao & Verma and K. angustifolia Rosc. from this study are different from the previous studies.

Title: Cytotaxonomy of the tribe Alpineae
Author(s): Zhong-Yi Chen; Xiang-Xu Huang
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 112-121.
Abstract: The tribe Alpineae, distributed mostly in tropical and subtropical areas, consists of 22 genera and 800 species. It is the biggest tribe in Zingiberaceae. More than 100 species so far studied, belonging to 13 genera, are almost all tetraploid. The evolution of Alpineae seems to have proceeded largely at tetraploid level. Twelve is the only one basic chromosome number for Alpineae in Asia. Based on the chromosome data and wild observation, Pommereschea and Rhynchanthus (x = 11) should be translated to the tribe Hedychieae. They show parallel distichy very similar to Hedychium. Eleven is a derived basic chromosome number in Alpineae, although Renealmia in the New World and African counterpart shows equal variation in its external morphology with Alpinia in Asiatic counterpart. In the meantime, it is difficult to separate clearly Aframomum in Neotropic and Africa from Amomum in Asia. It is suggested that haploid 12 is the original basic number for the whole of the Alpineae, and 11 is secondary in origin.

Title: Phylogeny of the Zingiberanae: morphology and molecules
Author(s): W. John Kress
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 122-141.
Abstract: The Zingiberanae, containing the single order Zingiberales, is an essentially tropical group of monocotyledons that includes the bananas, gingers and their relatives. Currently eight families are recognized: Musaceae, Strelitzi.aceae, Lowiaceae, Heliconiaceae, Zingiberaceae, Costaceae, Cannaceae and Marantaceae. A previous analysis of 29 morphological characters rooted with the Bromelianae showed that the most parsimonious phylogenetic topology of the eight families is: Musaceae (Strelitziaceae (Lowiaceae (Heliconiaceae ((Zingiberaceae, Costaceae) (Cannaceae, Marantaceae))))). A more recent parsimony analysis of DNA sequences from the chloroplast-encoded gene rbcL of 21 species of Zingiberales and outgroups resulted in a single shortest tree with a topology significantly different from that based on morphological features: (Marantaceae, Costaceae) ((Cannaceae, Musaceae) ((Strelitziaceae, Lowiaceae) (Heliconiaceae, Zingiberaceae))). However, nearly all phylogenetic resolution is lost in trees one and two steps longer, indicating that the utility of rbcL sequence data is of limited value in understanding interfamilial evolutionary relationships in Zingiberales. A somewhat modified rbcL data set (with 32 bp corrections in the original sequences ) yielded results with less phylogenetic resolution. A reanalysis of the original morphological characters (with several new characters added for a total of 36 binary characters) using a new outgroup, as suggested by the molecular results (Haemodoraceae + Philydraceae + Pontederiaceae + Commelinaceae) , produced a tree with a moderately different topology than the original analysis: (Lowiaceae (Musaceae, Strelitziaceae)) (Heliconiaceae ((Zingiberaceae, Costaceae) ( Cannaceae, Marantaceae))). When the morphological and molecular data sets were combined, two equally parsimonious trees were obtained (differing only in the relationships of genera within Costaceae) with only a slightly different among-family topology, i. e. Musaceae ((Lowiaceae, Strelitziaceae) (Heliconiaceae ((Zingiberaceae, Costaceae) (Cannaceae, Marantaceae)))), than the earlier morphological investigations. In this combined analysis the phylogenetic signal of the morphological characters appears to be much stronger than that of the rbcL data and is not "swamped" by the greater number of molecular characters. * Presented in Monocotyledons: systematics and evolution 1995, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and reprinted here for direct reference

Title: Isozyme variations in selected Zingiberaceae spp
Author(s): Halijah Ibrahim
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 142-149.

Title: Peroxidase isozymes and ordination of some Alpinia spp
Author(s): Nian Liu
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 150-160.
Abstract: By means of disc polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and polar ordination, peroxidasic isoenzymes and ordination of 32 species and 3 hybrids of Alpinia, one species of Amomum and one hybrid of Alpinia X Amomum (total 37 OTU) were analyzed. The interspecific zymograms were obviously different. Each species possessed generally its special zymogram, different from the others. According to their zymogramatic dissimilarities calculated with the method of polar ordination, they were divided into 4 groups. These groups are basically in agreement with T. L. Wu's system (1981). The systematic position of several species is discussed in the paper. There are about 300 species of Alpinia in the world. They are mainly found in the tropical Asia. In China, there are about 50 species distributed from south-west to south-east, especially in south-west part. It is an important medicinal and ornamental genus. There were mainly 4 taxonomical systems of Alpinia: K. Schumann's system (1904), Holttum's system (1950), T. L. Wu's system (1981) and R. M. Smith's system (1990). These systems were based on the morphological characters, which were mainly bracts, bracteoles and labella. As we know, these 4 systems are different in the division of the subgenus, section or subsection. The electrophoretic technique has a number of advantages over morphology-based analyses. First, enzymes, unlike morphological features, are not affected by varying environmental conditions. Second, it is difficult to compare two groups of plants when one group lacks a morphological character which is present in the other group. This problem is rare with enzymes because even if one form of an enzyme is absent, an alternative one is present. Finally, electrophoretic data may provide a clearer picture of the evolutionary history of Alpinia or other taxon because enzyme variation can be more directly equated with the underlying genetic variation. So, we want to use the isoenzymes to help solving the taxonomical questions of Alpinia.

Title: Superoxide dismutase in ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Author(s): Wallie Suvachittanont; Boonyarat Kasisadapan
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 161-165.
Introduction: Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is one of the important plants used in prevention of a wide variety of diseases. Ginger was claimed to have several medicinal properties for example, anti-inflammatory, ameliorating cough, cold, fever, pain in joints (anti-rheumatic) and dysmenorrhoea, used against sea sickness, gastrointestinal regulation, cardiotonic and migrain headache (Mustafa and Srivastava, 1990). Ginger is reported to be used in relieving pain in rheumatic disorder and is generally consumed in various forms, either cooked or raw. It is interesting to know how ginger acts as preventive agent for various illnesses. Many diseases were believed to be related to an increase in free-radical and peroxide formation. Srivastava and Mustafa (1992) suggested the anti-rheumatic effect of ginger may be due to its interference with cycloxygenase and lipoxygenase , enzymes in prostaglandins and eicosanoids biosynthetic pathway. (Srivastava and Mustafa, 1992). Another possible mode of action of ginger as drug for inflammation is via its ability to remove or inhibit the production of superoxide free-radical by superoxide dismutase (SOD) . Superoxide dismutase, an enzyme catalyzes removal of super oxide free radical. The enzyme is available in mammalian tissue, fish, plant tissue as well as in other organism, such as bacteria. In this study, we examine the presence of SOD in ginger (Zingiber officinale) in comparison to other- type of zingiberaceous plants as well as the activity of the enzyme in various forms of ginger i. e. young, old, cooked or raw, freeze dried powder as well as ginger powder commercially available as tonic drink. The nature of SOD in ginger is also examined.

Title: The effect of aqueous extracts of a Zingiber species on the mitotic chromosomes of Alllium cepa
Author(s): Eleanor-Isidra A. Santos; Magdalena C. Cantoria
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 166-173.
Introduction: Among the genera belonging to the family Zingiberaceae, the genus Zingiber including the commercially important ginger (Z. officinale Rosc.) continues to be the object of most studies worldwide. Sustained interest is due to the popular utilization of most of its members as sources of drugs in traditional medicine (Quisumbing, 1978). One folkloric remedy in the Philippines for the relief of cough and asthma is the decoction prepared from the rhizomes of Zingiber purpureum Rosc. locally known as "langkawas" (Quisumbing, 1978). The powdered rhizome is used for its antidiarrheal property. Recent studies also indicate the efficacy of the oil as antibacterial and antifungal topical agents (Oliveros and Bruce, 1991). Aromatic compounds have been isolated by extraction of the rhizomes with hexane (Amatayakul et al., 1979). Terpinen-4-ol was identified as the principal and the active constituent found in the oil (Oliveros and Cantoria, 1982). So far, no study has been done on the aqueous extract of the rhizome which is being administered internally as a decoction.

Title: Comparison of volatile compounds in two variants of Elettariopsis triloba (Gagnep.) Loesn
Author(s): A. M. Mustafa; H. Anita; H. Ibrahim
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 174-179.
Introduction: The genus Elettariopsis is closely allied to Amomum but is differentiated from the latter by its smaller vegetative habit with few leaved shoots, thin elongated or slightly expanded anther-crest ( but not widely spreading) and the obconic, wide triangualar-mouthed stigma. Five species have been described for Peninsular Malaysia (Kam, 1982). Of these, Elettariopsis triloba is easily distinguished by its distinct pseudostem with 2 to 5 long petiolate leaves crowded at the top held more or less erect, its compact inflorescence borne at the end of a short scape and its anther crest which is quadrate with a truncate apex. As with E. curtisii, several accessions of E. triloba exhibit variations in size of the vegetative forms and fragrance. Elettariopsis triloba (the typical form) designated as variant 1 has 2 to 5 narrower and longer glabrous leaves. The rhizome is slender, creeping at 8 - 15 cm intervals. The second variant designated as variant 2 has mainly 3 erect leaves which are more ovate and slightly longer cauda. The crushed leaves of variant 2 emits a strong lemony smell mixed with a slight bed bug odour. The rhizomes are less aromatic (giving the odour of Alpinia galanga) compared to the strong cardamon like smell of the roots. The crushed leaves of variant 1 is sweet smelling and milder in fragrance with no trace of the bed bug smell, however its rhizomes and roots are more aromatic. The pseudostems are more or less similar in odour. This study attempts to compare the volatile components of 2 variants of Elettariopsis triloba in relation to their variation in smell of the vegetative parts.

Title: Preformulation studies on terpinen-4-ol from Zingiber purpureum Rosc
Author(s): Mildred Balbin Oliveros
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 180-186.
Introduction: Zingiber purpureum Rosc., locally known as langkawas in many parts of the Philippines, is used in folk medicine for the treatment of various ailments. Among these are asthma, rheumatism, diarrhea, cough and skin diseases. The drug is given as a decoction for asthma rheumatism, diarrhea and cough and used as a cleansing solution for skin diseases. Rhizomes of Zingiber purpureum Rosc. yield about 1.84 % of a colorless volatile oil which contains terpinen-4-ol (45.44 %) as its main constituent. Although there have been studies conducted on the antimicrobial activity of terpinen-4-ol, there have been no published reports on its drug development. This report includes results of antimicrobial tests on terpinen-4-ol which validate some uses of Zingiber purpureum Rosc. in folk medicine. Results of stability tests on terpinen-4-ol and formulation of two dosage forms are also included.

Title: Application of XAD-4 hydrophobic resin and GC/MS/DS to study the head space of the flowers of Hedychium flavum Roxb
Author(s): Wen-Lian Zhang; Bao-Ling Li; Bi-Yao Lu; Zhi-Cheng He; Liang-Feng Zhu
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 187-189.
Abstract: The flowers of Hedychium flavum Roxb. are noted for their specially pleasant fragrance. Its essential oil extracted by traditional method usually lost its delicate character. We have tried to use XAD-4 hydrophobic resin to absorb the fragrance released from Hedychium flavum Roxb. The head space of the flowers was analysed by capillary GC/MS/DS and more than twenty different constituents were identified.

Title: GC-MS analysis of essential oils in introduced and imported Fructus Amomi Compacti
Author(s): Ping Ding; Xin-Chun Liu; Hong-Hua Xu; Li Lin
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 190-195.
Abstract: The essential oils in different introduced and imported Fructus Amomi Compacti were analyzed by GC-MS, and their chemical constituents were dissimilar. The content of main effective component, 1,8-eucalyptol, in the oil from Yunnan was higher than that from Hainan. Fructus Amomi Compacti is an extensively used Chinese drug, aromatic in odour, acrid in taste, warm in nature. It can eliminate dampness, promote vital energy circulation, remove the stagnation of vital energy. It is a member of Zingiberaceae. In the early 1970s, it was successively introduced in many provinces of China. In order to give an evaluation on their qualities the essential oils of introduced and imported Fructus Amomi Compacti, including their peels and seeds were analysed.

Title: Ethno-botanical study on Zingibaeraceae in Indonesia
Author(s): S. Riswan; F. M. Setyowati
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 196-218.

Title: Diversity, ecology and ethnobotany of the Zingiberaceae of Bangladesh
Author(s): M. A. Rahman; M. Yusuf
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 219-228.
Abstract: The spice family Zingiberaceae has been investigated for the first time in the flora of Bangladesh for its diversity, distribution, and traditional uses by tribal and local peoples, and essential oil. 46 species from 13 genera have been recognized so far. Of these, 6 species are new to the flora of Bangladesh. The diversity in the genera Curcuma and Hedychium is noteworthy with more than 10 species of each. Some specimens of the Curcuma, Amomum and Zingiber collected from Sylhet, Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts are yet to be examined critically and may represent 3 - 4 new species. Traditional uses of rhizomes, leaves and flowers of more than 30 species by both tribal and local peoples have been recorded. Of these 30, 16 species are used locally for their medicinal properties. Essential oil has been extracted from both leaves and rhizomes of some species of Amomum, Curcuma and Etlingera . An enumeration of 46 species present in Bangladesh is presented here with their diversity, ecology and traditional uses.

Title: Zingiberaceae of India: biological screening and ethno-botanical diversity
Author(s): Ved Prakash; B. N. Mehrotra
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 229-237.
Abstract: India with its varied climatic condition, is rich not only in plant diversity but also in the heritage of knowledge in the uses of plants. The family Zingiberaceae includes an important group of plants which shows a significant ethnobotanical diversity in different regions of India. The rhizomes of more than 30 species belonging to genera Alpinia, Amomum, Curcuma, Globba, Hedychium, Kaempferia, Roscoea and Zingiber, are used as drugs for asthma, cough, inflammation, arthritis, jaundice, intestinal disorders, leprosy, etc. and also eaten as vegetables, spice or as condiments. A multidisciplinary research programme on biological screening of Indian plants was started at C. D. R. I. over three decades ago for the development of new or better modern drugs from plant sources. Zingiberaceae is also covered in this programme by 29 samples belonging to 19 genera and 23 species. The paper highlights the results of biological screening and diverse uses of plants in respect to Indian Zingiberaceae.

Title: Psychoactivity in Zingiberaceous plants
Author(s): S. K. Jain; Rashmi Shukla
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 238-247.
Introduction: Generally speaking, those plants are considered psychoactive which can alter the state of mind. As they can stimulate the mind to exceptional thoughts, perceptions and visions, and also influence it to bizarre activities, such substances have been employed for noble as well as evil intentions, designs and practices. Substances considered as psychoactive have also been called hallucinogens, stimulants, hypnotics, psychedelic, intoxicant , depressants, sedatives, excitants, euphoriants, etc. These substances have been associated since ancient times with mysticism, shamanism, myth, magical healing, sorcery, for ecstasy, and for supposed communication with Gods, spirits and other supernatural powers. In the mundane world they have been patronised for at least forgetting (if not relieving) pain, sleeplessness, anxiety and tension. It is felt that sedatives may not themselves heal but they allow healing to take place without pain, and more significantly without anxiety. Such substances have no doubt, on the one hand, been the basis of drug abuse, but on the other hand have also recently provocated research into their managed application in psychiatry, sedation and anesthesia. Almost all existing major publications in English on botany and chemistry of hallucinogens or psychoactive plants have been published by authors from West (Wasson 1967; La Barre 1970; Furst 1972, 1976; Merlin 1972, 1984; Schultes & Hofmann 1980, 1987; Wilbert 1988; McKenna 1992) They have opined that over 100 species of psychoactive plants are employed in New World, and only about a dozen in Old World, and that most psychoactive plants are cultigens (Exceptions are like genus Cannabis. ). The most prolific writer on botanical aspects and new sources of vegetable psychoactive substances is Schultes (1969, 1970, 1972, 1993). The wide use in ancient, and not so ancient, India of legendary Soma (considered Amanita muscaria by Wasson (l. c.), but identity still shrouded in mystery) and products of Datura, Cannabis and opium poppy in India prompted our group about three years ago to undertake literary as well as some field research into the botany and chemistry of psychoactive plants of India.

Title: Studies an pharmacy of Kaempferia galanga and K. marginata
Author(s): Yu-Heng Chen; Shu Zhang
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 248-253.
Shan-nai is one of traditional Chinese drugs from the rhizome of Kaempferia galanga L. Its earliest historical records appeared in Ming Dynasty in literature "Ben Cao Pin Hui Jing Yad" (Essence of Classified Materia Medica, 1505 A. D.). The drug having the effect of 'warming the middle warmer to dispel cold' and 'eliminating wetness-evil in the body' is recognized in practice of traditional Chinese medicine. Besides, it is also used in food or perfume industries. Shan-nai has long been cultivated and was not found in the wild in China. In the sixties, a wild Shan-nai distributed in Yunnan Province was reported. According to our research, it should be K. marginata Carey, the Chinese name is Ku shan-nai. However, its crude drug is very much similar to K. galanga and is easy to be confused. For drug quality of traditional Chinese medicine, the pharmacy of the plants was studied. Ku shan-nai was reported in literature of botany or pharmacy in China as a new record in distribution. According to K. Schumann (1903), both species are under subgenus Soncorus Haran of Kaempferia. Their differences are: K. galanga flower is white, leaves elliptical without thickened margin, The oil cells in rhizome are oblong or subrotund in shape, and contain some colourless large and small oil drops. Starch grains are flat-subrotund or fan-shaped, single, 8 - 18 microm in diameter, hylum not obvious; the flowers of K. marginata are purplish, leaves subrotund, with thickened margin, purple beneath. The oil cells in rhizome contain a lot of bright yellow small oil drops. Starch grains are oblong to long-ovate, 8 - 40 microm long, 6-28 microm in diameter, hylum is in the form of "-" or "A" (Figs. 1 - 3). The contents of distilled volatile oil in the rhizomes of K. galanga and K. marginata were 2.0 % to 2.5 % and 1.5 % to 2.0 %, respectively, and the oil in the former contains a great - amount of white crystal, mainly ethyl p-methoxycinnamate. The constituents in volatile oil of both species were very similar as determined by GC (Figs. 4 - 5), but differ in amount of some constituents, such as trans-ethyl p-methoxycinnamate, 1,8-cineole, camphene, S-carene, etc. as shown by TLC. Their constituents including 15 crystals are listed in Table 1.

Title: Study on quality of Sharen (Amomum villosum Lour.) and its new cultivars
Author(s): Xiao-Ping Lai; Xin-Chun Liu
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 254-258.
Abstract: Amomum villosum Lour., A. villosum Lour. cv. viridulum and A. villosum Lour. cv. Parvum are origins of Sharen which is one of the most important crude drugs frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine. The essential oils from the seeds of the three species are 3.14 %, 2.82 % and 2.92 %, respectively, and 16, 8 and 20 chemical constituents were identified from the oils by means of GC-MS, respectively. The microelements of the seeds were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry but no significant difference was observed among them.

Title: Identification on Amomum villosum Lour. and its new cultivars
Author(s): Xin-Chun Liu; Xiao-Ping Lai
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 259-261.
Abstract: The paper deals with the identification and inspection on the original plant and electron microscopic observation of the seed coat of A. villosum and its new cultivars. The fruit of A. villosum is one of the most important crude drugs frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine. Amomum villosum Lour. and its new cultivars, A. villosum Lour. cv. viridulum and A. villosum Lour. cv. parvum, were discovered and collected from Guangdong, China.

Title: Zingiberaceae of north-east India: diversity and taxonomic status
Author(s): Ved Prakash; B. N. Mehrotra
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 262-273.
Abstract: The family Zingiberaceae is well known for its medicinal and economic significance. It occurs chiefly in the tropics with about 52 genera and 1400 species. India is one of the richest region for its diversity, having 22 genera and about 170 species. The northeast region of India is a zone of greatest concentration where 19 genera and about 88 species are reported. Out of these one genus viz. Parakaempferia and 31 species are totally endemic to this region. The genus Hedychium is the largest one representing with about 36 species in this region. The other important genera are: Zingiber, Curcuma, Alpinia, Amomum, Globba, Kaempferia, Mantisia, Cautleya and Roscoea occurring with 3 - 8 species each. Also, these are one or two species in each genera namely Boesenbergia, Caulokaempferia, Costus, Curcumorpha, Etlingera, Hemiorchis, Hitchenium, Parakaempferia and Rhynchanthus. All the members of the family have not been subjected to very critical taxonomic or systematic studies in India. The identity and nomenclature of several genera and species and precise distribution of many taxa are not understood well. The senior author had an opportunity to study and collection of several species of this family in N. E. region in the last few years while collecting the plant samples for Biological Screening Programme of the Institute. The present paper deals with the richness of diversity and present taxonomic status of this family in N. E. India with suggestions for conservation of endangered/endemic species.

Title: The comparison of components of non-photochemical chlorophyll fluorescence quenching in Alpinia coriacea, Alpinia oxyphylla and Pisum sativum leaves
Author(s): Yi-Zhu Chen; Xiao-Ping Lai; Zhong-Yi Chen
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 274-282.
Abstract: The dark relaxation kinetics of non-photochemical chlorophyll fluorescence quenching of the leaves of Alpinia coriacea, Alpinia oxyphylla and Pisum sativum were compared in this paper. According to Quick and Stitt (1989) and Hodges et al. (1989), the dark relaxation of non-photochemical chlorophyll fluorescence quenching could be deconvoluted into three different phases: faster phase (qf), medium phase (qm) and slow phase (qs). There were a much faster phase, decaying with half time ( t1/2) of approximately 15 sec. and inhibited by nigericin, a medium phase sensitive to NaF, decaying with half time of about 2 min and a third phase (qs) which was much slow, requiring low light for its recovery in P. sativum. A. oxyphylla has a similar relaxation kinetics with A. coriacea. The half time for the relaxation of qf was about 50 sec. and of qm was 8 min after 200 micro mol photons per m2 and per sec. in the-two plants, but with no distinct qs in A . coriacea. The qm about 30 min-recovery in A. oxyphylla had almost the same level as 10 h-recovery during the darkness after higher light induction, indicating that the remaining qs was photoinhibitory component, the contribution of which to total qN was 35 % to 40 % similar to 50 % of P. sativum. However, in A. coriacea almost no qs appeared (< 10% of total qN). The conclusion was that A. oxyphylla had similar non-photochemical fluorescence quenching, qs, with sun plant, P. sativum although its DTT-sensitive component possibly had different operating mechanism.

Title: Natural distribution, ecology and cultivation of Amomum krervanh Pierre in Thailand
Author(s): Yingyong Paisooksantivatana
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 283-287.
Abstract: Forest destruction has changed much of the natural habitats of best cardamom (Amomum krervanh Pierre) as well as its natural distribution range. The natural populations decrease rapidly. The extinction of gene resources of this species is expected at the turn of the century if there is no effective conservation method immediately undertaken. The plants have long been cultivated in Thailand for more than 150 years at a smaller extent. There is an attempt to expand the production area to meet the demand of the market and to incorporate into the agro-forestry system. The plant has been introduced into several areas differing in both altitude and climate with some degrees of success. It also shows a good aspect as an intercrop and as a green mulch in the agroforesty system especially in the watershed areas where the steep slopes are commonly seen.

Title: A study on the breeding system of Amomum tsao-ko
Author(s): X. L. Cui; R. C. Wei; R. F. Huang
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 288-296.

Title: The diseases and pests of the zingiberaceous plants and their control in South China Botanical Garden
Author(s): You-Sheng Wu; Zu-Lin Dong
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 297-301.
Abstract: The common diseases and pests on the zingiberaceous plants and their Occurrence and damage as well as control have been investigated in the ginger garden (South China Botanical Garden) recently. As the results described below, 2 bacterial, 13 fungous diseases and 11 insect pests, 1 mite pest have been found. Most of them are common. To control them effectively, cultural methods such as selecting loose, fertile soil as planting field with good drainage and proper shade; applying healthy and vigour seeds, seedlings and rhizomes for propagation; regulating plant density; fertilizing reasonably; practicing in rotation; irrigating moderately; sanitizing the field opportunity are mostly recommended. The application of chemical and biological pesticides to protect the beneficial organisms is also stressed. The family Zingiberaceae, which is distributed mostly in tropical and subtropical Asia, includes a lot of important medicinal and ornamental species, and is one of the main raw and processed materials in medicinal and food industry. Many of them are good for beautifying environment and room. 18 genera and more than 110 species of zingiberaceous plants have been collected or introduced in South China Botanical Garden. A "ginger garden" has been founded as the germplasm base. As far as the number of the species is concerned, it is the largest one in the world. The diseases and pests are inevitable. So in order to prevent the ginger from damage of diseases and pests, studies focusing on the ginger garden, concerning the kinds of diseases and pests, control methods, etc. have been experimented in recent years.

Title: Participants
Author(s):
In: Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on the Family Zingiberaceae (ed.: Te-Lin Wu; Qi-Gen Wu; Z.-Y. Chen), Zhongshan University Press, Guangzhou, 1996: p. 302-306.