Morphological variation and distribution of the useful ginger Etlingera pavieana (Zingiberaceae)

Etlingera pavieana (Zingiberaceae) was originally described from Cambodia and is used as a spice or as medicine. Recent collections enable us to provide a complete description with improved illustrations and knowledge on distribution which now also includes Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Information on local names and uses are also included. Amomum hirticalyx is newly combined as a subspecies of E. pavieana and one of the two collections made by Schmidt on Ko Chang, Thailand, is designated here as the lectotype. Etlingera pavieana subsp. hirticalyx differs mainly by height and leaf size and is only known from Ko Chang. We report E. pavieana to be flexistylous for the first time. This was observed in both subspecies.