Greater galangal
Alpinia galanga
Family: Zingiberaceae
What it is like
A herb which grows year after year. It grows to 1.6 m high and spreads to 1 m across. The rootstock creeps under the ground. This is round like a cylinder and branches. This thick rhizome can be 10-12 cm long by 3 cm wide. It grows as a dense clump. The outside of the root is reddish brown and inside is white. The stems lie along the ground. The leaves are long and narrow and sword shaped. The leaf blade is 25-35 cm long by 6-10 cm wide. They taper to the tip. They have a sweet scent. The flower spike is at the end of the shoot. It is hairy and 15-30 cm long. The flower bracts are oval and 2-8 mm long. The flowers are white. They occur in clusters at the ends of stalks. Each bracts surrounds 4-5 flowers. The flowers are 1.5 cm long and white with purple lines. The fruit is a round capsule. It is 1 cm across. It is orange-red.
There are about 200-230 Alpinia species. They are mostly tropical and subtropical. It is antimutagenic. It possibly has anti-cancer properties.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It does best in rich moist soils. It prefers a protected shady position. It is drought and frost tender. The soil needs to be well-drained. It can be grown in sheltered sites in cooler climates but needs a heated glasshouse in cold places. In China it grows in grasslands between 100-1300 m altitude in S China. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. In XTBG Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Fiji, Guianas, Hawaii, India (country/location of origin), Indochina, Indonesia (country/location of origin), Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The root is used for flavouring curries. They are often sliced then removed before serving the dish. They can be pounded to a paste then added to dishes. They are also pickled. The young shoots and leaves are also eaten. Flower buds and flowers can also be cooked and eaten. They are also pickled. The red fruit are edible.
It is a cultivated food plant. They are sold in markets. It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. The fruit are available in Chinese stores in Australia.
Edible parts
Rhizome, roots, leaves, seeds, herb, spice, flowers, vegetable
How it is grown
It is grown by dividing the rootstock. A piece about 5-10 cm long with at least 2 undamaged buds is used. Rhizomes are planted just below the surface and 60 cm apart.
Young rhizomes have more flavour than older ones. Plants are often harvested 3 months after planting.
Its other names
Local names
Ampar, Ampar haldi, Araththa, Dumbarasme, Gao liang kiang, Gieng, Ha, Hong dou kou, Java galangal, Jiang miao, Kanghoo, Kanghu, Kha, Kha baan, Khoa, Kol-inji, Kulanjan, Kulanjain, Kulinjan, Kunsa-gamon, Ladja, Lam kieu, Langkuas galangal, Laos, Lengkuas, Mi pi duo pu, Pa-de-gaw-gyi, Pedda-dumparashtram, Pera-rattai, Peraratta, Phrikan-gnek, Ramrhou, Rieng, Romdeng, Rumdaeng prey, Siamese ginger, Tara, Tharai
Synonyms
Alpinia alba (Retz.) Roscoe; Alpinia bifida Warb.; Alpinia carnea Griff.; Alpinia galanga var. pyramidata (Blume) K. Schum.; Alpinia pyramidata Blume; Alpinia rheedei Wight; Alpinia viridiflora Griff.; Amomum galanga (L.) Lour.; Amomum medium Lour.; Galanga officinalis Salisb.; Hellenia alba (Retz.) Willd.; Heritiera alba Retz.; Languas galanga (L.) Stuntz; Languas pyramidata (Blume) Merr.; Languas vulgare J. Koenig; Maranta galanga L.; Zingiber galanga (L.) Stokes; Zingiber medium Stokes; Zingiber sylvestre Gaertn.;