Renealmia thyrsoidea

Family: Zingiberaceae

What it is like

A ginger family herb. It can grow 1-5 m tall. It produces clumps of upright stems. The leaves are 20-75 cm long by 5-15 cm wide. The fruit are 2.5 cm long by 1.5 cm wide. There are 30-70 seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It can grow in forests up to 3,000 m above sea level. It can grow in swampy areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, South America (country/location of origin), Trinidad, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fibres inside the fruit are cooked and eaten.

It is cultivated in Ecuador.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds - drink

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Machakuy shinwanku, Sacha shiwanku, Saratango, Shiwanku panka, Teentekagi, Tetemo

Synonyms

Alpinia silvicola Britton; Amomum thyrsoideum Ruiz & Pav.; and others