Aquatic galangal
Alpinia aquatica

Family: Zingiberaceae

What it is like

A ginger family herb. It grows up to 2 m tall. The leaves are on 1.2 cm long leaf stalks. The leaves are sword shaped and 15-22 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. They are leathery and bright green. The flowers are pink and in a group at the top. The group of flowers are 15-25 cm long. The fruit are round and 6 mm across. They are green and turn red then black. The are 3-5 angular seeds.

There are 244 Alpinia species. It is used as medicine.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It suits wet areas. It can grow in swamps from sea level to 800 m above sea level. It needs a temperature above 15°C.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, SE Asia, Singapore, USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. It is best to soak the seed is slightly warm water for 2 days before sowing. Seeds germinate in 1-6 months. Plants can be grown by division or the rhizome.

Its other names

Local names

Lengkuas, Meroyan siamang, Munkanang, Shui shan jiang

Synonyms

Alpinia cormu-cervi Ridl.; Alpinia exostylis K. Schum.; Alpinia fraseriana Oliv.; Heritiera aquatica (Retz.) Willd.; Languas aquaticum (Retz.) L. Koenig; and several others