Zingiberaceae in Roi Et Province, Thailand: Diversity, Ethnobotany, Horticultural Value, and Conservation Status
Zingiberaceae is a diverse and culturally significant plant family across tropical Asia, yet in Roi Et Province, Thailand, it has remained poorly documented. This study aimed to provide the first comprehensive assessment of Zingiberaceae in Roi Et Province, Thailand. Previous studies in the region h...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Horticulturae |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/5/527 |
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| author | Piyaporn Saensouk Surapon Saensouk Thawatphong Boonma Auemporn Junsongduang Sarayut Rakarcha Khamfa Chanthavongsa Tammanoon Jitpromma |
| author_facet | Piyaporn Saensouk Surapon Saensouk Thawatphong Boonma Auemporn Junsongduang Sarayut Rakarcha Khamfa Chanthavongsa Tammanoon Jitpromma |
| author_sort | Piyaporn Saensouk |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Zingiberaceae is a diverse and culturally significant plant family across tropical Asia, yet in Roi Et Province, Thailand, it has remained poorly documented. This study aimed to provide the first comprehensive assessment of Zingiberaceae in Roi Et Province, Thailand. Previous studies in the region have been limited and did not systematically document species occurrence. The assessment began with an overview of species diversity, followed by an investigation of their ethnobotanical uses, an evaluation of their horticultural potential, and an assessment of their conservation status. Field surveys were conducted throughout Roi Et Province across various habitat types using exploratory sampling to record all observable Zingiberaceae species. Species were identified based on morphological characteristics and comparisons with existing taxonomic literature. A total of 97 species were recorded, including 86 native and 11 introduced taxa, with 23 species endemic to Thailand and 25 species featuring new distributions reported for the province. Species richness was highest in cultivated habitats, likely reflecting the active role of traditional agroecosystems in conserving both native and introduced taxa. Natural habitats such as wetlands and dry evergreen forests hosted species with restricted distributions, underscoring the need to preserve ecological heterogeneity. Ethnobotanical interviews revealed widespread local use of rhizomes and inflorescences for food, medicine, ornamentation, and ceremonial purposes. Phenological observations indicated synchronized flowering and fruiting aligned with the monsoon season, which are traits that supports successful reproduction but may also increase vulnerability under shifting climate regimes—highlighting the importance of monitoring for conservation and guiding optimal harvest timing. These findings demonstrate that both natural and cultivated systems are integral to maintaining Zingiberaceae diversity in the region. Conservation strategies should prioritize habitat protection, support traditional cultivation practices, and promote further research into economically and culturally valuable species. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1821802b06bc43a0aa10f4e9a593f61c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2311-7524 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Horticulturae |
| spelling | doaj-art-1821802b06bc43a0aa10f4e9a593f61c2025-08-20T03:47:59ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242025-05-0111552710.3390/horticulturae11050527Zingiberaceae in Roi Et Province, Thailand: Diversity, Ethnobotany, Horticultural Value, and Conservation StatusPiyaporn Saensouk0Surapon Saensouk1Thawatphong Boonma2Auemporn Junsongduang3Sarayut Rakarcha4Khamfa Chanthavongsa5Tammanoon Jitpromma6Diversity of Family Zingiberaceae and Vascular Plant for Its Applications, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham 44150, ThailandDiversity of Family Zingiberaceae and Vascular Plant for Its Applications, Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute, Mahasarakham University, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham 44150, ThailandDiversity of Family Zingiberaceae and Vascular Plant for Its Applications, Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute, Mahasarakham University, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham 44150, ThailandProgram of Biology, Department of Science and Technology, Faculty of Liberal of Art and Science, Roi Et Rajabhat University, Ko Kaeo, Selaphum District, Roi Et 45120, ThailandQueen Sirikit Botanic Garden, The Botanical Garden Organization, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai 50180, ThailandDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Natural Science, National University of Laos, Vientiane 7322, LaosDiversity of Family Zingiberaceae and Vascular Plant for Its Applications, Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute, Mahasarakham University, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham 44150, ThailandZingiberaceae is a diverse and culturally significant plant family across tropical Asia, yet in Roi Et Province, Thailand, it has remained poorly documented. This study aimed to provide the first comprehensive assessment of Zingiberaceae in Roi Et Province, Thailand. Previous studies in the region have been limited and did not systematically document species occurrence. The assessment began with an overview of species diversity, followed by an investigation of their ethnobotanical uses, an evaluation of their horticultural potential, and an assessment of their conservation status. Field surveys were conducted throughout Roi Et Province across various habitat types using exploratory sampling to record all observable Zingiberaceae species. Species were identified based on morphological characteristics and comparisons with existing taxonomic literature. A total of 97 species were recorded, including 86 native and 11 introduced taxa, with 23 species endemic to Thailand and 25 species featuring new distributions reported for the province. Species richness was highest in cultivated habitats, likely reflecting the active role of traditional agroecosystems in conserving both native and introduced taxa. Natural habitats such as wetlands and dry evergreen forests hosted species with restricted distributions, underscoring the need to preserve ecological heterogeneity. Ethnobotanical interviews revealed widespread local use of rhizomes and inflorescences for food, medicine, ornamentation, and ceremonial purposes. Phenological observations indicated synchronized flowering and fruiting aligned with the monsoon season, which are traits that supports successful reproduction but may also increase vulnerability under shifting climate regimes—highlighting the importance of monitoring for conservation and guiding optimal harvest timing. These findings demonstrate that both natural and cultivated systems are integral to maintaining Zingiberaceae diversity in the region. Conservation strategies should prioritize habitat protection, support traditional cultivation practices, and promote further research into economically and culturally valuable species.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/5/527conservationdiversityethnobotanygingertaxonomyZingiberaceae |
| spellingShingle | Piyaporn Saensouk Surapon Saensouk Thawatphong Boonma Auemporn Junsongduang Sarayut Rakarcha Khamfa Chanthavongsa Tammanoon Jitpromma Zingiberaceae in Roi Et Province, Thailand: Diversity, Ethnobotany, Horticultural Value, and Conservation Status Horticulturae conservation diversity ethnobotany ginger taxonomy Zingiberaceae |
| title | Zingiberaceae in Roi Et Province, Thailand: Diversity, Ethnobotany, Horticultural Value, and Conservation Status |
| title_full | Zingiberaceae in Roi Et Province, Thailand: Diversity, Ethnobotany, Horticultural Value, and Conservation Status |
| title_fullStr | Zingiberaceae in Roi Et Province, Thailand: Diversity, Ethnobotany, Horticultural Value, and Conservation Status |
| title_full_unstemmed | Zingiberaceae in Roi Et Province, Thailand: Diversity, Ethnobotany, Horticultural Value, and Conservation Status |
| title_short | Zingiberaceae in Roi Et Province, Thailand: Diversity, Ethnobotany, Horticultural Value, and Conservation Status |
| title_sort | zingiberaceae in roi et province thailand diversity ethnobotany horticultural value and conservation status |
| topic | conservation diversity ethnobotany ginger taxonomy Zingiberaceae |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/5/527 |
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