Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Smith
Family
Zingiberaceae
Synonyms
Zerumbet speciosum J.C. Wendl., Alpinia speciosa (J.C. Wendl.) K. Schum., Languas speciosa (J.C. Wendl.) Small, Catimbium speciosum (J.C. Wendl.) Holttum.
Vernacular Names
|
English |
Shell ginger, shell flower, light galangal. |
|
Indonesia |
Galoba merah, goloba koi, langkuas laki-Iaki (Moluccas). |
|
Philippines |
Langkuas na pula (Tagalog). |
|
Thailand |
Khaa khom (Northern). |
|
Vietnam |
Ri[eef]ng[aas]m, g[uwf]ng [aas]m. |
|
French |
Atoumau (Martinique). |
Geographical Distributions
Alpinia zerumbet is considered native to north-eastern India, Burma (Myanmar), Indo-China, China and Japan. Besides, it is cultivated throughout Southeast Asia and in many other tropical and subtropical countries.
Description
Alpinia zerumbet is similar to Alpinia malaccensis.
The main differences are that the leafy stem is up to 2-3 m tall while the petiole is up to 2.5 cm long.
The inflorescence is decurved or drooping, measures up to 20 cm long, and bearing 25 or more cincinni of 2 flowers each. The bracteoles are white and with pink apex. The labellum is entire or shallowly lobed while the fruit is orange.
Ecology / Cultivation
Alpinia zerumbet occurs naturally in open and shaded forests.
Line Drawing / Photograph
References
-
Plant Resources of South-East Asia No.12(2): Medicinal and poisonous plants 2.
