Aquatic plants
月桃
Alpinia zerumbet
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Zingiberaceae
Common name: Shell ginger, Shell flower,
pink porcelain lily or variegated ginger.
Alpinia zerumbet is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant that grows in clumps and is fragrant throughout.
The stem can grow up to 3 meters tall. The underground rhizomes are well-developed and spread outward, resulting in clustered growth above ground.
The leave is Dense, singular, and alternate, lanceolate in shape with fine hairs along the edges. They possess petioles and elongated sheaths. The veins emerge parallel from the sides.
The inflorescence is Conical, arranged in hanging clusters underground.
The flowers are Funnel-shaped petals, milky white in color. The corolla's labellum is large, twisted, and yellow with red spots and stripes, shallowly divided into two lobes. There are 3 stamens, with 2 modified into petal-like structures, only one fertile; 1 pistil, with the stigma emerging from the stamens' anthers, resembling dancing butterflies.
The fruit is Capsule, spherical, with numerous longitudinal ridges. It starts green and turns bright red when ripe, appearing delicate and charming. Fruiting period: Mature in October.
The seeds are Black, covered with white false arils.
STEM
LEAF
LEAF SHEATHES
Find in NSYSU Campus
Adapted to Aquatic Environment
Alpinia zerumbet is best grown in rich medium-wet, to wet well drained soils in full sun to part shade. Afternoon shade in hot summer climates,
is recommended. Indoors, the plant must have bright light and humid conditions. Flowering rarely occurs before the second year.
Distribution
It is currently distributed in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Taiwan,
the Ryukyu Islands, and Japan. This species is a sun-loving plant that thrives in warm, humid environments. It can tolerate shade but is not cold-resistant. It prefers well-drained, fertile soil and is often found along roadsides, field edges, and in grassy areas by ditches.
Basketry
The indigenous Paiwan and Rukai tribes in Taiwan utilize the stem-like leaf sheaths of Alpinia zerumbet.These are harvested before flowering, dried, and then processed to extract fibers.These fibers are woven into various woven products such as ropes, baskets, trays, mats, and grass mats. Additionally, fishermen in Beigang Ao weave large ropes from them for anchoring iron anchors.
Edible used
The indigenous tribes in Taiwan use Alpinia zerumbet's stem-like leaf sheaths for weaving various items, including ropes and baskets.
In Japan, its leaves are used for tea, flavoring noodles, and wrapping rice cakes. Research suggests the plant's compounds may promote longevity and protect against high glucose-induced cell damage.
