Alpinia conchigera
Alpinia conchigera
Lesser alpinia (Alpinia conchigera Griff., 1851) is a herbaceous species belonging to the Zingiberaceae family.
Systematics –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Magnoliophyta division,
Class Liliopsida,
Subclass Zingiberidae,
Zingiberales Order,
Zingiberaceae family,
Genus Alpinia,
Species A. conchigera.
The terms are synonyms:
– Alpinia humilis Teijsm. & Binn.;
– Alpinia laosensis Gagnep.;
– Alpinia sumatrana (Miq.) K.Schum.;
– Languas conchigera (Griff.) Burkill;
– Languas sumatrana (Miq.) Merr.;
– Strobidia conchigera (Griff.) Kuntze;
– Strobidia oligosperma Kuntze;
– Strobidia sumatrana Miq..
Etymology –
The term Alpinia was attributed in honor of the pre-Linnaean botanist Prospero Alpinio (1553-1617), director of the Botanical Garden of Padua.
The specific epithet conchigera derives from the Latin words “concha”, which means “shell” and from the verb “gero” which means to carry, in reference to the shape of the labellum which in some way resembles shells.
Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Alpinia conchigera is a plant native to an area which includes Bangladesh, Cambodia, China (Yunnan), India, Laos, Peninsular Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sumatra, Thailand and Vietnam.
Its habitat is that of humid forests, such as in China, where it grows at altitudes of 600 – 1,100 metres.
It is cultivated in rubber or oil palm plantations, as well as present in marshy areas, open countryside near villages, semi-wild or cultivated areas.
Description –
Alpinia conchigera is a perennial herbaceous plant with a thin and creeping rhizome.
It has thin pseudo-stems 0.5-1.5 m long.
The leaves are lanceolate, 20-30 cm long and 5-10 cm broad, with a pointed apex.
The inflorescences are panicle terminal, 20-30 cm long; they bear flowers with a 0,3 cm long light green calyx, white or light green corolla with 0,7 cm long lobes, obovate, concave, fleshy labellum, of pale yellow or pinkish-white color streaked with red and 0 long curved yellow filament, 5cm.
The fruits are initially globose red capsules of 0,8-1 cm of diameter, tending to become oblong, containing 3-5 very aromatic seeds.
Cultivation –
Alpinia conchigera is a plant that is harvested from the wild by the local population for its medicinal and edible uses.
It is a plant that grows well in a sunny to partially sunny position in moist, fertile soil.
The plant is fast growing and can be grown in tropical and subtropical climate zones; from the pedological point of view it prefers acidic or neutral soils; it can also be cultivated in capacious pots, in order to be sheltered in the colder months where the climate does not allow continuous permanence in the open air.
This species reproduces by division and by seed, previously kept in water for 24 hours, in organic loam with addition of sand or perlite kept humid at a temperature of 22-24 °C, with fairly variable germination times, starting from one month .
Customs and Traditions –
Alpinia conchigera is a plant known by various names depending on where it grows or where it is known; the most common names are: lesser alpinia (English); jie bian shan jiang (Chinese); romdeng (Cambodian); langkwas ranting (Malay); khaa ling (Thai); riềng rừng (Vietnamese).
The plant has a certain food interest as the rhizome is used to flavor rice alcohol and food. The rhizomes are widely used in the places of origin for flavoring dishes and for obtaining an alcoholic drink and the fruits are locally consumed as vegetables.
The fruits, as well as used in the food field, are used in the medicinal field.
The leaves and the rhizomes are utilized in the traditional medicine, in particular the Thai one, for various pathologies due to the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties; the essential oil extracted from the rhizomes also has insecticidal properties.
No other uses are known.
Cardamomine is extracted from the plant, a chalcone isolated from A. conchigera.
Method of Preparation –
Alpinia conchigera is used for its rhizomes to flavor rice alcohol and food.
In the medicinal field, a poultice of boiled leaves, or of leaves and rhizome together, is prepared, which is applied topically in the treatment of rheumatism.
The pounded leaves are used as a poultice after childbirth and for the treatment of ringworm.
The rhizome is considered diaphoretic and stimulating. It is used in the treatment of bronchitis, jaundice, headaches, ringworm, indigestion, abscesses and dizziness; it is also mixed with other herbs for a postpartum tonic.
The fruits are also used in various ways in the medicinal field.
Guido Bissanti
Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.
Photo source:
– https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/265705681/original.jpeg
– http://jbrj-public-img.s3-sa-east-1.amazonaws.com/JPG/rb/1/20/29/27/01202927.jpg
Attention: The pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not in any way represent a medical prescription; we therefore decline all responsibility for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes.