The phylogenetic placement of a new species of <i>Amomum</i> (Zingiberaceae) from the Philippines

During recent fieldwork in Pasonanca Natural Park, Zamboanga City, Philippines, we collected a ginger species belonging to Amomum sensu stricto that resembled the Bornean endemic Amomum stenosiphon . In phylogenetic analyses based on ITS trn K/ mat K sequences, the Philippine collections formed a monophyletic group but did not group with A. stenosiphon in the ITS tree whereas they are sister to each other in the trn K/ mat K tree. Also, one autapomorphic site in the ITS region was found for the Philippine collections. Nevertheless, the Philippine collections are morphologically distinct and differ from A. stenosiphon by their longer petioles, more narrow and ovate laminae, and fewer flowers per flowering shoot, and we describe here a new species, Amomum zamboangense , named after the type locality. We provide a colour plate and a preliminary assessment of its conservation status. Since Amomum dealbatum has previously been reported from the Philippines, two species of Amomum s.s. are now known to occur in the country.