Mega ginger
Etlingera megalocheilos

Family: Zingiberaceae

What it is like

A ginger family herb. It grows 3-5 m tall. It forms clumps from the rhizomes. There are 15-30 leaves along the false stems. They are alternate. The leaflets are 20-90 cm long by 10-20 cm wide. The flower is bright red and 6-12 cm wide. The edges are yellow and wavy. It occurs near ground level.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in tropical rainforest. It can tolerate shade. It is often near rivers. It grows up to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indochina, Indonesia (country/location of origin), Malaysia (country/location of origin), SE Asia, Singapore, Thailand, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Shoots, fruit, spice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or by division of the rhizome.

Its other names

Local names

Baku teruki, Kedungkel, Tepus

Synonyms

Achasma megalocheilos Griff.; Amomum megalocheilos (Griff.) Baker; Amomum rubroluteum Baker; Etlingera rubrolutea (Baker) C. K. Lim; Hornstedtia megalocheilos (Griff.) Ridl.;