Black Ginger is a stemless rhizome forming herb that
can reach up to 20 cm tall. The rhizomes are small and of deep purple
colour, thus inspiring the name black ginger. Leaves are 8-16 cm long,
thin, rounded at the base, plain green. The leaf-stalk is short and
channeled. Flowers are few in a stalkless central cluster. The bracts
are 2.5 cm, lanceshaped and green. The calyx is longer than the bract.
The flower-tube in 3 cm long; segments are greenish, 1 cm long, upper
ascending and rather concave. The lip is 0.75-1.0 cm, somewhat notched
with the anther-crest blunt and broad as the long. Black Ginger is
native to Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand.
Medicinal uses: Black Ginger is a herb that
has some historical and medicinal usage for treating metabolic ailments
and improving vitality in Thailand. It is also reported to be an
aphrodisiac compound and physical enhancer. However, modern analysis
doesn't substantiate any strong medicinal benefit.
Identification credit: Amber Srivastava
Photographed in BSI, Dehradun.
• Is this flower misidentified?
If yes,
Your name: Your email: Your comments
The flower labeled Black Ginger is ...