Singapore Government Logo

A Singapore Government Agency Website

Alpinia conchigera

Back

Alpinia conchigera Griff.

Family Name: Zingiberaceae
Synonyms: Languas conchigera Burkill
Common Name: Lengkuas ranting, Lenkuas kecil, Lengkuas padang, Lengkuas geting, Chengkenam, 节鞭山姜

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Irregular
Maximum Height 1.5 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Bangladesh,  India, China (Yunnan),  Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia (Sumatra).
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Agricultural Land, Secondary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest, Disturbed Area / Open Ground)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal
Local Conservation Status Native to Singapore (Presumed Nationally Extinct (NEx))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Herb to 1.5m tall
Foliage Leaves glabrous except for pubescence along leaf margin, and along the midvein on the under surface of the leaf. Young leaves with a glossy sheen. Leaf blades are oblong or lanceolate, 15-30cm by 1-10 cm.
Flowers Corolla white, lip cream colored/ yellowish with reddish brown streaks, up to 1.5 cm long. In some specimens (mainly from China), the corolla is dark reddish brown.
Fruit Pink or red fruits are round when fresh, oblong when dry, and 8-10 mm wide. Each fruit contains 3-5 seeds that are strongly aromatic.
Habitat It grows in swampy areas, and open country near villages.
Associated Fauna Its flowers are insect-pollinated.
Etymology Alpinia, commemorating Prospero Alpino (1553-1616), an Italian botanist and professor of botany at Padua; Latin conchi, shell or shell-like, gera, carrying or producing.
Ethnobotanical Uses Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits, Edible Storage Organs
Food (Herb or Spice)
Medicinal: In the Malay peninsular, a poultice of the boiled leaves, or a mixture of the  leaves and rhizomes are applied externally as a treatment for rheumatism. The pounded leaves are also used as a poultice after confinement. In Chinese medicine, a boiled concoction of the rhizomes is taken to sooth indigestion, and a paste made from the punded rhizomes is used to treat insect bites.
Others: Rhizomes are used to flavor rice wine (Indochina) and food (Northern Malaysia, Indochina). Also used as an anti-fungal medication in the east coast of Malaysia.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping It is suitable for growing in parks, in wet places.
Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Riverine
Thematic Landscaping Economic Garden

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna)
Seed or Spore Dispersal Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade
Water Preference Lots of Water
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils
Pest(s) Sucking Insects
Propagation Method Seed, Division

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Oblong)
Foliar Venation Parallel
Foliar Margin Entire

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Yellow / Golden, Red, Cream / Off-White
Flower Texture(s) Thin
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Terminal
Inflorescence Type Spike, Raceme
Flowering Period Free-Flowering
Flower Lifespan on Plant Several Days

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Red
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 30895
Species ID 5272
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.
Species record last updated on: 23 February 2022.
Share