Amomum andamanicum (Zingiberaceae): a new species from the Andaman Islands, India

A new species of Amomum from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is illustrated and described. The plant shows similarity with A. hypoleucum of South India and Sri Lanka in vegetative habit. The species can be distinguished by the presence of silvery silky abaxial side of lamina with appressed pubescence, creeping slender rhizomes, many flowered spike with short peduncle produced directly from base of the aerial stem, green to orange coloured persistent bracts arranged in two rows, glabrous anther and many fruits produced with prominent irregularly lobed ridges. A comparison with other Amomum species of the Andaman Islands is also provided.