Medu
Alpinia blepharocalyx

Family: Zingiberaceae

What it is like

A ginger family herb. The false stems are 1-3 m tall. The leaves are pale green underneath. They are sword shaped and 45-60 cm long by 4-15 cm wide. The flowering stalks are 20-30 cm long and drooping. The flowers are red and yellow.

There are about 200-230 Alpinia species. They are mostly tropical and subtropical. Not in The Plant List.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in Yunnan in China between 600-1200 m above sea level. It grows in secondary forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ge bo bao, Ma ga

Synonyms

Alpinia blepharocalyx K. Schum.; Languas blepharocalyx (K. Schum.) Hand.-Mazz.;