Blue Ginger, Blue fruited ginger
Alpinia caerulea

Family: Zingiberaceae

What it is like

A ginger plant up to 2 m high. It spreads 1-1.5 m wide. It has several stems. These stems rise from the rhizome. The leaves are simple and up to 40 cm long. They are dark green. Sometimes the leaves can have a purple tinge underneath. The flowers occur in a spike at the tip of the stalk. The flowers are white and have a perfume. The fruit are about 10-18 mm across and occur in upright bunches on the tips of the leaves. They are blue. There are several seeds inside. The flesh around the seed is edible.

There are about 200-230 Alpinia species. They are mostly tropical and subtropical.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in rainforest. It needs moist well drained soil. In Adelaide Botanical Gardens hot house. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Papua New Guinea

How it is used for food

The flesh of the fruit is eaten. The tips of the rhizome is edible. It has a ginger taste. These young rhizomes are eaten raw or cooked.

Edible parts

Root, fruit, rhizome, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown by division of the rhizome. They can also be grown by seed. Fresh seed must be used. They should be soaked for 24 hours before sowing.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Hellenia caerulea R. Br.;