atoll research bulletin no. 392 the flora of - Smithsonian Institution ...

Zingiber officinale Roscoe
keung (C)
syn. 2. zingiber Karst.
"ginger"
Pre-World War I1 introduction. India and China. Rare. Erect smooth herb, up to
90 cm high, arising from edible, thick, hard, often palmately-branched, pale-yellow
(within) rootstalks or rhizomes, about 1.5 to 2.5 cm in diameter; leaves, 5 to 30 cm long
and 2 to 3 cm wide, annual, lance-shaped, sheathed at the bases; inflorescence, a
flowering stem, about 6 to 12 cm high, bearing flower spikes, 4 to 7 cm long and 1.5 to
2.5 cm wide, with bracts, 2 to 3 cm long, and greenish-yellow three-lobed flowers, about
1.5 to 2.5 cm long. Planted in Chinese food garden at Location. Rhizome used as a
spice. An increasingly important commercial crop for export and local processing in Fiji.
5, 6.
Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Sm.
syn. Amomum zerumber L.
"wild ginger"
Recent introduction; reintroduced recently by Fijian expatriate community Trop.
Asia. Rare. Erect perennial herb, up to 1.5 m tall, with leafy stems rising from tuberous
aromatic rootstalks or rhizomes; leaves, mostly 15 to 30 cm long, usually shorter, oblong
lance-shaped, sheathing at the bases; inflorescence, a spike-like flower stalk (scape), up
to 30 cm long, arising from the rhizomes, bearing ovoid to cylindrical reddish or green
flower heads, 5 to 20 cm long, with many bracts, 2 to 3 cm long, and inconspicuous
three-lobed white to cream flowers, about 5 cm long. Planted ornamental or medicinal
plant. An important aboriginal introduction throughout much of Melanesia and Polynesia,
where it is an important medicinal plant. 3, 6.