Indian ginger, Snap ginger, Miniature ginger
Alpinia calcarata

Family: Zingiberaceae

What it is like

An evergreen herb with underground stems. It grows 1-1.3 m high. The leaves are narrowly sword shaped. They are 25 cm long by 5 cm wide. They are glossy dark green. They are prickly along the edge. The flowers are greenish white. They have a lip which is shell shaped. It has pointed erect bracts at the base of the flower. The bracts are red.

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

Where it is found

It is a subtropical and tropical plant. It needs regular moisture. It needs fertile, organically rich, well-drained soil. It needs some sunlight. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hawaii, India (country/location of origin), Indonesia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The rhizome is used as a spice. It is used as a substitute for galangal.

It is a cultivated food plant in Indonesia. The ripe fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Rhizome, root, fruit, spice, flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Amkolinji, Hor rangve, Kattuchena, Toroni

Synonyms

Alpinia alata A. Dietr.; Alpinia bracteata Roscoe; Alpinia calcarata var. compacta Gagnep.; Alpinia cernua Sims; Alpinia simsii Gasp.; Globba erecta DC.; Languas calcarata (Haw.) Merr.; Renealmia calcarata Haw.; Renealmia erecta (DC.) Boos; Renealmia minor Roem. & Schult.;