Alpinia latilabris

Family: Zingiberaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 3 m tall. The leaves are sword shaped and point at the tip. It tapers to the base. The leaf blade is 40-70 cm long and 4-8 cm wide. The edges are rough. The flowering shoot is 25 cm long and has side branches with 1-3 flowers on each. The fruit is a capsule with 3 sections. There are several large seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in marshy conditions or shallow water. It grows along rivers and canals.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The rhizomes are used as a spice.

Edible parts

Rhizome - spice, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ry

Synonyms

Alpinia hookeriana Valeton; Alpinia sericea Ridl.; Catimbium latilabre (Ridl.) Holttum; Languas hookeriana (Valeton) Merr.; Languas sericea (Ridl.) Merr.;