Genetic diversity of Kaempferia siphonantha King. ex Baker: An indigenous medicinal plant of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Abstract

Kaempferia siphonantha King. ex Baker belongs to the family Zingiberaceae.. In Andaman and Nicobar Islands Zingiberaceae is the largest family, comprising nearly 50 genera and 1,000 species. In Asia, the family comprises at least 52 genera and more than 1,500 species (Sirirugsa, 7), which are scattered throughout the tropical and subtropical regions. K. siphonantha is the only representative of the genus in this Island territory (Karthikeyan et al., 3). K. siphonantha as a shade-loving plant, having beautifully zoned patterns of silver, blue, black and shades of green makes this plant very attractive even without flowers. The plant possess horizontal rhizomatous rootstock grows luxuriantly on clay loam soil. It is stemless, perennial herb growing up to 20 cm tall with slender root fibres. White flowers attract attention as the lip is tined with purple patches at the distal end.