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Zingiber ottensii Valeton

Family Name:	Zingiberaceae
Common Name:	Lampoyang Hitam, Bongelai Hitam

Zingiber ottensii is a rhizomatous herb that grows to 1. 9 m tall. The broad spindle-shaped inflorescence is dull red, greenish red at the tip. Flowers are pale coloured, from cream to dull yellow. The flowers and leaves produce a sweet spicy scent when bruised.

Full Shade

Semi Shade

Lots of Water

Moderate Water

Occasional Misting

Ornamental Flowers

Herbaceous Plant

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Biogeography

Native Habitat	Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical
Local Conservation Status	Cryptogenic

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	Rhizomatous herb 1-1.9 m tall. All parts of the plant are aromatic; leaves and inflorescence produces a sweet spicy scent when bruised.
Foliage	Leaves mid green, becoming a faded yellowish green in specimens growing under full sun. Leafy shoots to 1.9 m in height, with 18-25 leaves. The membranous ligules are about 1.3-1.5 cm long.
Flowers	Inflorescence broad spindle shaped, with 2-3 flowers open at a time. Peduncle dull green, to 30 cm in length. Bracts red or dull-bright reddish brown, smaller towards the apex. Flowers exsert from the bracts, pale cream to very pale dull yellow.

Others - Plant Morphology	The rhizomes are dark purple on the inside.
Habitat	Grown in secondary evergreen forest, usually along roadside, open areas and forest margin.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Others: Zingiber ottensii is used to replace Alpinia galanga in traditional dishes made by rural communities in Vietnam.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses	Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Container Planting

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s)	Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Semi-Shade, Full Shade, [Remarks] (This species does best under filtered light (30-40% shade). It will tolerate being grown in full shade, but may not flower as often or as prolifically as those grown in brighter conditions. )
Water Preference	Lots of Water, Moderate Water, Occasional Misting
Plant Growth Rate	Fast

Rootzone Tolerance	Moist Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils
Pest(s)	Chewing Insects, Sucking Insects
Propagation Method	Division

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Smooth

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s)	Yellow / Golden, Red, Cream / Off-White, Brown
Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence
Inflorescence Type	Spike

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID	31399
Species ID	5796
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.

Species record last updated on: 25 June 2024.