Jelly bean Ginger, Round-rooted galangal
Kaempferia rotunda

Family: Zingiberaceae

What it is like

A herb. It has rhizomes with tubers. There are 2-4 leaves. They are erect. The leaf stalk is 1-2 cm long. It has a channel. The leaf blade usually has a pattern of dark and light green. Underneath it is tinged with purple. The leaf blade is oblong to sword shaped and 17-27 cm long by 7.6-9.5 cm wide. The base is wedge shaped. The flowering groups are on separate shoots arising from the rhizome. They appear before the false stem. There are 4-6 flowers. The bracts are purple brown.

There are about 50 Kaempferia species. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It can grow in seasonally moist and humid or dry climates. It needs fertile, organically-rich, well-drained soil. It needs an alkaline pH. It grows in open grassland and is also cultivated in S China. It grows up to 750 m above sea level. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Central America, China, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The young leaves and root tubers are used to flavour food.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves as condiment, roots, tubers, spice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Seed germinate readily and plants need to be kept moist shaded and warm. The rhizomes can be divided and sections planted. They are spaced 50-60 cm apart.

Its other names

Local names

Ardong, Bhuichampa, Bhuichampo, Bhumichampa, Buchampaca, Buchampakamu, Chenchineerkilangu, Hai nan san qi, Kenchur, Kondakalava, Kunci pepet, Kunir puteh, Kuntji puti, Malankua, Nelasampige, Nerpichan, Pagi, Punchi pepet, Temu pepet, Temu puteri, Wan hao non

Synonyms

Kaempferia bhucampac Jones; Kaempferia longa Jacq.; Kaempferia versicolor Salisb.; Zerumbet zeylanica Garsult [Invalid];