Zingiber griffithii

Family: Zingiberaceae

What it is like

A ginger family herb that keeps growing from year to year. It has underground stems. The leafy shoots grow 1.2 m tall. The leaves are broadly sword shaped. They are 15-25 cm long by 5-8 cm wide. There are very fine silky hairs underneath. The flowers are in a compact spike. This is on a separate flower stalk. This is 4-15 cm long. The bracts are red and 2.5-4 cm long by 1.5-2.5 cm wide. The spike is 10-15 cm long by 1.5-3.5 cm wide. The fruit is a capsule. It is about 2 cm long. The seed are deep red.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in lowland forests. It is mostly in moist locations and shady sites in soil rich in humus.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The rhizome is spicy.

Edible parts

Rhizome, root, spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bola bukit, Tepus huma, Tepus kechil, Tepus merah

Synonyms

Zingiber citrinum Ridl.; Zingiber griffithii var. citrinum (Ridl.) Holttum;