Dancing Ginger: 3 New Species Discovered in Northeast India

Three new ginger species have been discovered in Mizoram and Meghalaya, India, belonging to the Globba genus, part of the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family. The species, collectively known as "dancing girls," grow in forest understory and attract bee species for pollination.

Discovery of New Ginger Species

Three new ginger species discovered in Mizoram and Meghalaya, India
Found by researchers Ritu Yadav and Vinita Gowda from IISER Bhopal in 2022
Species belong to the Globba genus, part of the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family
Collectively named "dancing girls" ginger species due to their graceful appearance
Additional species identified in West Bengal, totaling six new Globba species

Characteristics of the New Species

Globba tyrnaensis:

- Found near Double Decker Living Root Bridge in Meghalaya
- Grows in forest understory at around 731 meters elevation
- Attracts various bee species for pollination

Globba janakiae:

- Named after Dr. E.K. Janaki Ammal, a pioneering Indian botanist
- Discovered in the same region as G. tyrnaensis
- Small population with fewer than ten mature individuals recorded

Globba yadaviana:

- Found along Reiek Tlang Road in Mizoram
- Named after Rajesh Yadav, father of researcher Ritu Yadav
- Small population of approximately 30 individuals

Significance and Conservation

Adds to the biodiversity knowledge of Northeast India
Highlights the importance of continued exploration in understudied regions
Globba is the fourth largest genus in the ginger family, with about 136 species
New species have unique floral features, earning names like "weeping goldsmith" and "white dragon"
Conservation efforts needed, especially for rare species like G. yadaviana
Contributes to understanding of the Zingiberaceae family, which includes about 1600 known species
Many plants in the ginger family have ornamental, spice, or medicinal uses

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