Crepe Ginger
Hellenia speciosa

Family: Costaceae

What it is like

A perennial herb. The plant is somewhat like ginger. The leaves are arranged in spirals. It grows to 1.5-3 m high, and spreads to 1 m across. The stem is erect and leafy. The leaves are soft, and glossy green. They are arranged in spirals up the stem. They are 12-25 cm long, by 3-6 cm wide. They have short leaf stalks, and the sheath extends above the leaf stalk. The flowers are white, crepe-like and very fine, with yellow or orange markings. The flowers are 5 cm across. They are produced in heads, at the end of the stalk. These are 12 cm long and have red bracts. The fruit is a capsule 1.2 cm long. The seed are black with a white aril.

It is used as a medicine in Indonesia and China. There are 250 Costus species. They are tropical.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It does best in humus-rich, moist, soils. It prefers a sheltered, shady position. It is drought and frost tender. They need a minimum temperature above 18°C. In Nepal is grows between 400-700 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. In Cairns Botanical Gardens. In Adelaide Botanical Gardens hot house. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Central America, China, Costa Rica, Fiji, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia (country/location of origin), Marquesas, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The tuberous roots are cooked and eaten. This is normally only when food is scarce. They are sliced and cooked with other vegetables in curries. The young shoots are eaten in soup dishes. The stems are peeled and eaten. The young leaves can be stored for 7-8 days. CAUTION: The roots contain diosgenin a precursor of steroids and hormones for contraceptives.

Edible parts

Leaves, rhizome, corm, root, fruit, flower bud, seed

How it is grown

It is grown by seed or by division of the clump.

Its other names

Local names

'uangz, Bai-qiekepa, Besemati, Besika dumpa, Betlauri, Bi qiao jiang, Buritokon, Cane-reed spiralflag, Cat loi, Chengalvakoshtu, Dot dang, Halduli, I-upo, Kemuka, Ken, Kenkemuka, Keon, Keu, Keukand, Keula, Keun, Kevkanda, Kewkanda, Koekand, Kuiravam, Larkaiya, Malay ginger, Maqbaomagaoqyyuq, Mia do, Ngueng maai na, Nuoyingdao, Orop, Ote kitamuli ba, Pacing, Penva, Pewda, Pha-lan-taung-hwa, Pushakara moola, Pushkarmula, Ru-rta, Setawar, Setengteng, Spiral Ginger, Tabar-tabar, Tar thok, Tawar, Tebu, Tiuasi, Tongro, Trathok, Tubong-usa, Uang-din, Uang-maina, Uang-phetma, Uang-yai, Ueang-phet-maa, Unnithandu, Urubkutub, Zhang liu tou

Synonyms

Amomum arboreum Lour.; Amomum hirsutum Lamk.; Banksia speciosa Koenig; Costus loureiri Horan.; Costus formosanus Nakai; Costus nepalensis Roscea; Costus sericeus Blume; Costus speciosus (Koenig) Sm.; and many others