Palm ginger, Grassy ginger
Zingiber gramineum

Family: Zingiberaceae

What it is like

A ginger family herb. It grows 1.5 m tall. The rhizomes form tubers that are yellow inside and have an aroma. The leaves are palm like and 40 cm long by 3 cm wide. The flowers are in an oval panicle that is erect on a stalk from the base. The bracts are sword shaped with a pointed tip. The flowers are tube shaped and yellow. They have a scent. They are 3 cm long. The fruit is a narrowly oval capsule. The seeds are black.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in mixed forests and on the edges of forests and in open areas up to 750 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, Indochina, Indonesia, Myanmar, SE Asia (country/location of origin), Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Spice

How it is grown

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

Its other names

Local names

Jahe palem

Synonyms

Dymczewiczia graminea (Noronha ex Blume) Horan.; Zingiber gramineum var. validior K. Schum.;