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Alpinia hainanensis K. Schum.

Family Name:	Zingiberaceae
Synonyms:	Alpinia henryi K. Schum., Alpinia henryi H. Dong & G. J. Xu var. densihispida, Alpinia kainantensis Masam., Alpinia katsumadae Hayata, Languas henryi (K. Schum.) Merrill, Languas katsumadae (Hayata) Merrill
Common Name:	草豆蔻

Semi Shade

Moderate Water

Occasional Misting

Herbaceous Plant

Name

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

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Growth Form	Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Southern China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan), Vietnam
Native Habitat	Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	Rhizomatous herb to 3m tall
Foliage	Pseudostems to 3m tall. Leaflets linear to lanceolate, 20-65cm long by 2-12cm wide, glabrous on both surfaces, occasionally sparsely hairy on undersurface of leaflet.
Flowers	Inflorescence to 30cm tall, bracts subtending the individual flowers white - very pale pink, 4-4.5cm long. Flowers white - very pale pink; lip 3.5- 4.5cm long by 2-2.5cm wide, base color of lip yellow, centre of lip with dark pink - reddish mottling and reddish purple stripes radiating towards the lip margins.

Ethnobotanical Uses

Medicinal: The seeds of this species is used in traditional chinese medicine, in conjunction with other herbs, as a cure for Cholera, stomach upsets, indigestion and also as an appetite stimulant.

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	Moderate Water, Occasional Misting
Pest(s)	Chewing Insects, Sucking Insects

Propagation Method

Seed, Division

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s)	Orange, Pink, Red, White, Yellow / Golden
Flower Texture(s)	Thin
Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Yellow / Golden
Mature Fruit Texture(s)	Velvety / Furry / Tomentose

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID	31925
Species ID	6327
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.