Greater galangal

A tropical plant. It does best in rich moist soils. It prefers a protected shady position. It is drought and frost tender. The soil needs to be well-drained. It can be grown in sheltered sites in cooler climates but needs a heated glasshouse in cold places. In China it grows in grasslands between 100-1300 m altitude in S China. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. In XTBG Yunnan.
Also known as:
Ampar, Ampar haldi, Araththa, Dumbarasme, Gao liang kiang, Gieng, Ha, Hong dou kou, Jiang miao, Kanghoo, Kanghu, Kha, Kha baan, Khoa, Kol-inji, Kulanjan, Kulanjain, Kulinjan, Kunsa-gamon, Ladja, Lam kieu, Langkuas galangal, Laos, Lengkuas, Mi pi duo pu, Pa-de-gaw-gyi, Pedda-dumparashtram, Pera-rattai, Peraratta, Phrikan-gnek, Rieng, Romdeng, Siamese ginger, Tara, Tharai
Synonyms
- Alpinia alba (Retz.) Roscoe
- Alpinia bifida Warb.
- Alpinia carnea Griff.
- Alpinia galanga var. pyramidata (Blume) K. Schum.
- Alpinia pyramidata Blume
- Alpinia rheedei Wight
- Alpinia viridiflora Griff.
- Amomum galanga (L.) Lour.
- Amomum medium Lour.
- Galanga officinalis Salisb.
- Hellenia alba (Retz.) Willd.
- Heritiera alba Retz.
- Languas galanga (L.) Stuntz
- Languas pyramidata (Blume) Merr.
- Languas vulgare J. Koenig
- Maranta galanga L.
- Zingiber galanga (L.) Stokes
- Zingiber medium Stokes
- Zingiber sylvestre Gaertn.
Edible Portion
- Rhizome, Roots, Leaves, Seeds, Herb, Spice, Flowers, Vegetable
Where does Greater galangal grow?
Found in: Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Fiji, Guianas, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, United States, Vietnam
Notes: There are about 200-230 Alpinia species. They are mostly tropical and subtropical. It is antimutagenic. It possibly has anti-cancer properties.
Status: It is a cultivated food plant. They are sold in markets. It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. The fruit are available in Chinese stores in Australia.
Growing Greater galangal
Cultivation: It is grown by dividing the rootstock. A piece about 5-10 cm long with at least 2 undamaged buds is used. Rhizomes are planted just below the surface and 60 cm apart.
Edible Uses: The root is used for flavouring curries. They are often sliced then removed before serving the dish. They can be pounded to a paste then added to dishes. They are also pickled. The young shoots and leaves are also eaten. Flower buds and flowers can also be cooked and eaten. They are also pickled. The red fruit are edible.
Production: Young rhizomes have more flavour than older ones.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portionEdible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Leaves | - | 0.5-1 | - | - | - | - | |
Rhizome | 51 | 1 | 2.1 | - | - | 0.7 | 85.9 |
Seed | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
Flowers | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
Fruit | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Greater galangal Photos
References
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