Taxonomic Studies and Traditional Uses of Zingiberaceae in Khao Luang National Park, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand

Taxonomic studies and traditional uses of Zingiberaceae were conducted in Khao Luang National Park from March 2011 to March 2012, in order to study species diversity, ecology, distribution, and uses. Plant samples were collected from 6 waterfalls in the southern part of the park. Thirty-four species in 10 genera, 3 tribes of Zingiberaceae were collected. A key to species for each genus is provided. Four taxa could not yet be identified. Ka Rome waterfall has the highest number of Zingiberaceae species (23 species in 10 genera, H’ = 3.091, D’ = 0.948) because this area may be less disturbed. Some areas of the park were degraded and changed to plantations, such as Wang Mai Pak waterfall, which has the lowest number of species (13 species in 7 genera, H’ = 2.432, D’ = 0.904). Information on traditional uses of the collected plants was gathered by interviewing villagers and folks who live nearby the areas. Zingiberaceae plants are found to be important natural resources for villagers and mostly used as medicines, foods, drinks, and ornaments. doi:10.14456/WJST.2015.64