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Zingiber ottensii Valeton
Family Name: | Zingiberaceae |
Common Name: | Lampoyang Hitam, Bongelai Hitam |
Zingiber ottensii is a rhizomatous herb that grows to 1. 9 m tall. The broad spindle-shaped inflorescence is dull red, greenish red at the tip. Flowers are pale coloured, from cream to dull yellow. The flowers and leaves produce a sweet spicy scent when bruised.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
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Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Biogeography
Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
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Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Local Conservation Status | Cryptogenic |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | Rhizomatous herb 1-1.9 m tall. All parts of the plant are aromatic; leaves and inflorescence produces a sweet spicy scent when bruised. |
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Foliage | Leaves mid green, becoming a faded yellowish green in specimens growing under full sun. Leafy shoots to 1.9 m in height, with 18-25 leaves. The membranous ligules are about 1.3-1.5 cm long. |
Flowers | Inflorescence broad spindle shaped, with 2-3 flowers open at a time. Peduncle dull green, to 30 cm in length. Bracts red or dull-bright reddish brown, smaller towards the apex. Flowers exsert from the bracts, pale cream to very pale dull yellow. |
Others - Plant Morphology | The rhizomes are dark purple on the inside. |
Habitat | Grown in secondary evergreen forest, usually along roadside, open areas and forest margin. |
Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: Zingiber ottensii is used to replace Alpinia galanga in traditional dishes made by rural communities in Vietnam. |
Landscaping Features
Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
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Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Container Planting |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
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Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade, [Remarks] (This species does best under filtered light (30-40% shade). It will tolerate being grown in full shade, but may not flower as often or as prolifically as those grown in brighter conditions. ) |
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Water Preference | Lots of Water, Moderate Water, Occasional Misting |
Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
Pest(s) | Chewing Insects, Sucking Insects |
Propagation Method | Division |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
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Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden, Red, Cream / Off-White, Brown |
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Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Inflorescence Type | Spike |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 31399 |
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Species ID | 5796 |
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. |