What is Alpinia?
Alpinia is a genus of flowering plants in the family of ginger, zingiberaceae. There are more than 230 species, originally from tropical and subtropical Asia and Pacific. Plants alpinia often have large, clear flowers, which makes them popular ornamental plants. Many species are also used in kitchen and folk medicine. It has a small, round blue fruit that is pleasantly acidic. The fruit can be chewed to stimulate salivation, dried and ground for use as a spice for cooking or added to herbal tea to ensure taste and color. The roots and young shoots of the plant are also used in the kitchen, sometimes as a replacement for true ginger. Purpurata or Red Ginger, originally from Malaysia. It is also called ostrich cloud and pink cone ginger, a. Purpurata contains long, bright red flowers. It is yekultivated in many areas, including Hawaii, Florida, Samoa and many Central American countries. It is a national flower itself. a. Purpurata requires abundant moisture, moisture, tePlete weather and partial shadow and can be grown in the interior or out.
The native Chinese plant alpinia zulmbut , with common names including the golden lotus and shell, is another popular ornamental species. It is most often grown as a house plant, but can also be grown outdoors or in a greenhouse. a. Zulmbumt contains light pink flower buds that bloomed into red-brought yellow flowers. It is used in a damp, well -drained soil, high moisture and full sun into a partial shadow. In China, the leaves are a. Zulmbumt are used for both their healing properties and in the kitchen as an aroma and wrap.
Alpinia Galanga , commonly called Blue Ginger, Greater Galangal, because Thai ginger, comes from South Asia and Indonesia. It has a variety of traditional uses and is a highly appreciated plant, cultivated throughout its native range and beyond. a. Galanga root is used in Thai, Indonesian and Russian cuisine. It also has many applications in folk medicine. a. Galanga The root is used to treat heartburn and gas, cold and sore throat, fungal skin infection and tuberculosis.
alpinia officinarum , originally from China, can be called Chinese ginger or smaller Galangal. As a. Galanga , used in kitchen and medicine. a. Officinarum has a sweeter and stronger taste than a. Galanga and has been historically preferred for this feature, although today it is used much less often.