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Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L.Burtt & R.M.Sm.
| Family Name: | Zingiberaceae |
| Synonyms: | Alpinia nutans var. longiramosa, Alpinia speciosa, Alpinia cristata, Alpinia fimbriata, Alpinia fluvitialis, Alpinia schumanniana, Amomum nutans, Catimbium speciosum, Languas schumanniana, Languas speciosa, Renealmia nutans, Renealmia spectabilis |
| Common Name: | Shell Ginger, Pink Porcelain Lily |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | China & Japan |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial, grows in upright clumps,with a maximum height of 2 - 3 m. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green, leaf blade lanceolate, measures 0.5 m long and 15 cm across, margin entire, venation pinnate; arranged spirally along the stem. |
| Flowers | Raceme, its fragrant individual pink flowers resemble sea shells when in bud stage. Flower buds are light pink and waxy which open to tubular flowers with yellow lips and red throats. |
| Fruit | Rounded shape, brown in colour. |
| Taxonomy | It can be distinguished from the other members of ginger family from its flowers that droop from leaf stems (terminal) instead of rising from plant rhizomes (axillary). |
| Etymology | The genus Alpinia honours Prosper Alpino, an Italian botanist who introduced coffee and bananas to Europe. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: The leaves are used in Asia, believed to relieve fever and malaria. It is also believed to be diuretic and antihypertensive in South America. Others: In Japan, the leaves are used to wrap rice dumplings and sometimes used as tea. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers) |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Flowerbed / Border, Container Planting |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Occasional Misting, Lots of Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Division |
| Propagation Method Remarks | Rhizome division. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Attenuate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White, Pink |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 354 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1650 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
