Fragrant galangal
Alpinia coriandriodora
Family: Zingiberaceae
What it is like
A herb. The plant has the odour of coriander. The rhizomes are purple red and short. The false stem is 0.5-2 m high. The leaves are 15-25 cm long. They have short stalks. The leaf blade is oval and 8-13 cm long by 1.2-5 cm wide. The base is wedge shaped. The spikes are 5-10 cm long. The fruit is a round red capsule. It is 0.8-1.4 cm across. It has some velvety hairs.
There are about 200-230 Alpinia species. They are mostly tropical and subtropical.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in Guangxi in China.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China
How it is used for food
It is used as a flavouring.
Edible parts
Rhizome - flavouring
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Xiang jiang