Roscoea tibetica

Family: Zingiberaceae

What it is like

A ginger family herb. It grows 5-15 cm tall. There are 1-3 leaves. The leaves are narrowly oval but widest near the base. They are 2-6 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They are hairy when young. The flowers are enclosed by leaf sheaths. The bracts are oval and 3-4 cm long. The flowers are purple or violet.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in pine forests and alpine meadows between 2,400-3,800 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, SE Asia, Tibet

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Roscoea intermedia var. minuta Gagnep.; Roscoea intermedia var. plurifolia Loes.; Roscoea tibetica f. - several;