Diversity and Utilization of Costaceae in Thailand

Abstract

Diversity and utilization of family Costaceae in Thailand is studied between January and December 2016. Dried specimens at BK, BKF, QBG and PSU herbaria were studied. The specimens of the Costaceae were collected from all regions in Thailand. Two genera and 5 species were recorded. There are genus Costus with two species and genus Hellenia with three species. Among there one rare species, H.  lacera (Gagnep.) Govaerts, is reported. Moreover, one vulnerable species, H. globosa (Blume) S.R. Dutta, are reported and C. woodsonii Maas is recorded as least concern (LC) species. Most species of this family are distributed in hill evergreen forest, evergreen forest, swamp forest, deciduous forest, mixed deciduous dipterocarp forest and savanna with altitude 0-2,536 m about sea level. In addition, utilization of Costaceae in Thailand. By the way, interview the folk philosopher, doctors of folk medicine and villagers in the areas where the plants used. It has been used in the food (1 species), medicine (2 species), ritual plant (1 species), and most family Costaceae all five species are used an ornamental plants.