Spiral ginger
Cheilocostus globosus

Family: Costaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 4 m tall. It has rhizomes. The stems are robust and branched. They are twisted in spirals and covered with large scales 2-12 cm long. The leaves are oblong to sword shaped and 15-20 cm long by 6-10 cm wide. The leaves are alternate and smooth above and hairy underneath. The flowering shoots are oval and 5-15 cm long and the flowers are funnel shaped. They are red and yellow. The fruit is an oval capsule 1.5 cm long. There are many black seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on the edges of forests and in moist places in valleys. It grows up to 1,700 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, SE Asia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Shoots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Pacing spiral

Synonyms

Costus dhaninivati K. Larsen; Costus globosus Blume; Costus globosus var. kingii (Baker) Holttum; Costus globosus var. ridleyi (K. Schum.) Holttum; Costus globosus var. velutinus (Ridl.) Holttum; Costus kingii Baker; Costus ridleyi K. Schum.; Costus velutinus Ridl.;