Alpinia malaccensis (Burm.f.) Roscoe
Family
Zingiberaceae
Synonyms
Languas malaccensis (Burm.f.) Merrill, Catimbium malaccense (Burm.f.) Holttum.
Vernacular Names
| Malaysia | Puar, bangle. |
| Indonesia | Laja gowah (Sundanese), langkuas malaka (Moluccas), susuk (Lampung). |
| Philippines | Tagbak babae (Tagalog), barapat (Igorot), birao-birao (Sulu). |
| Thailand | Kha paa (Northern, North-eastern). |
| Vietnam | ri[eef]ng malacca. |
Geographical Distributions
Alpinia malaccensis is widespread from the moister parts of mountainous regions of India towards Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Cultivated in north-eastern India, Java and southern China.
Description
A. malaccensis is a robust herb that can grow measures up to 2-4 m tall and with strong aromatic when bruised.
The leaves are narrowly lance-shaped, measuring 40-90 cm x 7(-20) cm, acuminate, usually densely pubescent below or pubescent on margins and midrib and densely short hairs sheath near the blade. The ligule is an entire, up to 1 cm long, hairy and with 3-7 cm long petiole.
The inflorescence is racemose, erect or slightly curved, measures about 35 cm long, with 30 or more cincinni and absent bracts. The bracteoles are 1.5-2 cm long, caducous as the flower opens and white. The pedicel is 0.5-1.5 cm long. The sepal is 2 cm long, shortly 3-lobed and deeply split unilaterally. It is white and pubescent. The petal is white. The tube is measuring up to 1 cm long and ciliate lobes. The lateral lobes are 3 cm x 1 cm while the dorsal lobe is measures up to 4 cm x 2.5 cm. The labellum is broadly ovate, 3-5 cm long and at the widest part is 3 cm across, incurved sides, narrow to emarginate apex where at the base is with 2 papillose fleshy swellings that is yellow-orange with scarlet lines. The lateral staminodes are subulate and measuring up to 5 mm long. The filament of stamen is measures about 1 cm long. The anther connective is not prolonged into a crest.
The red capsule is spherical, up to 3 cm in diametre and shortly pubescent.
The seed is 3-4-angular and about 5 mm long.
Ecology / Cultivation
A. malaccensis is commonly found in primary forest and shaded rocky outcrops at low and medium altitudes.
Line Drawing / Photograph
References
- Plant Resources of South-East Asia No. 12 (2): Medicinal and poisonous plants.
