New Wild Ginger Species 'Zingiber jagannathii' Discovered in Odisha

Researchers from Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University in Odisha have identified a new species of wild ginger, named 'Zingiber jagannathii,' in the Similipal Biosphere Reserve. This discovery underscores the region's rich biodiversity and potential medicinal benefits, emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts.

In an exciting botanical breakthrough, researchers from Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University have announced the discovery of a new wild ginger species within Odisha's Similipal Biosphere Reserve. This significant find was made by Dr. Sudam Charan Sahu and Ph.D. scholar Sifan Priyadarshini.

The species, named 'Zingiber jagannathii' after Lord Jagannath, was discovered in August 2024 near Kulipala at an elevation of 758 meters. Documented in the journal 'Phytotaxa,' its unique morphological traits set it apart as a novel species within the Zingiberaceae family.

This discovery not only highlights the rich biodiversity within the biosphere reserve but also opens avenues for research into its ecological roles and potential medicinal properties, stressing the urgency for habitat conservation.

(With inputs from agencies.)