- Scientists have discovered two new species of Ginger in Manipur and Nagaland.
- These two new species are: Hedychium chingmeianum and Caulokaempferia dinabandhuensis.
- Hedychium chingmeianum, discovered in Tuensang district of Nagaland, is an epiphytic plant and grows on tall trees.
- Caulokaempferia dinabandhuensis was found growing in rock crevices, boulders and humus rich soil in the Shirui Hills of Ukhrul in Manipur.
- Both the plants are from the family of Zingiberaceae, to which the commonly found Ginger (Zingiber officinale) belongs.
- Most of the species under the genus Hedychium have medicinal properties.
- Out 44 taxa, 31 species and 13 varieties of genus Hedychium found in India, only five are reported in south India. The remaining species are all found in the northeast.
- The species Caulokaempferia dinabandhuensis was discovered by Biseshwori Thongam and Bipin Konsam of the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development.
