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Alpinia mutica Roxb.

Family Name:	Zingiberaceae
Synonyms:	Catimbium muticum (Roxb.) Holttum, Languas mutica (Roxb.) Merr., Renealmia mutica (Roxb.) Salisb., Alpinia korthalsii K. Schum., Alpinia laxiflora Gagnep., Alpinia mutica var. laxiflora (Gagnep.) Gagnep., Languas korthalsii (K.Schum.) Merr., Languas laxiflora (Gagnep.) Merr.
Common Name:	Orchid Ginger, Small Shell Ginger, False Cardamom

The Orchid Ginger is a popular ginger plant for landscaping in Singapore. It has lovely orchid-like flowers that are white with a deep yellow lip decorated with dark red lines and spots, its round fruit are an attractive orange-red colour. When crushed, its lance-shaped foliage releases a spicy aroma similar to that of cinnamon and citrus. It grows well in Singapore under semi-shade and in moist soil.

Semi Shade

Moderate Water

Bee-Attracting Plant

Fragrant Plant

Ornamental Flowers

Herbaceous Plant

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

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

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Maximum Height	1 m to 2 m

Biogeography

Native Habitat	Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical
Local Conservation Status	Non-native (Spontaneous (Casual))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	Herbaceous plant forming dense clumps up to 2 m tall.
Foliage	The linear to lance-shaped leaves (40-60 cm long, 10-13 cm wide) are arranged in 2 files along the stem. Crushed leaves produce a spicy fragrance similar to that of cinnamon and citrus.
Stems	It produces an underground horizontal stem, known as a rhizome.

Flowers	The flowers are arranged in a terminal inflorescence known as a cyme. The shell-shaped, white flower (5.5-5.7 cm long) hangs down from a green stalk and has an ornamental yellow lip with red dots and lines, lasting about one day. In Singapore, this plant regularly flowers.
Fruit	The ball-shaped, fleshy fruit is known as a capsule (~3 cm wide) and matures from green to orange or red. It contains many black, angled seeds (6-7 mm long). The seeds may germinate while still attached to the parent plant.
Habitat	It naturally occurs in swampy areas.
Associated Fauna	The flowers are pollinated by Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa spp.) and Blue-banded Bees (Amegilla spp.).
Cultivation	It grows best in rich, organic soil kept moist and tolerates waterlogged soils. Young plants need semi-shade or filtered light, while established plants can tolerate full sun in a humid climate. Cut down old stems once or twice a year. Sometimes, it is attacked by mealy bugs.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Edible Plant Parts : Edible Stems Medicinal: In Peninsular Malaysia, an infusion of the rhizome (the underground horizontal stem) is taken to treat digestion problems and the fruit is used to reduce inflammation. This use is supported by research that found the rhizome to be rich in anti-fungal and anti-bacterial compounds, as well as antioxidants.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Foliage)
Landscape Uses	Parks & Gardens, Hedge / Screening
Thematic Landscaping	Marsh Garden

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna	Bee-Attracting
Pollination Method(s)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Semi-Shade
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Fast

Rootzone Tolerance	Well-Drained Soils, Moist Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils
Propagation Method	Seed, Division

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Leathery, Glossy / Shiny

Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Linear)
Foliar Venation	Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin	Entire - Wavy / Undulate
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acuminate
Foliar Base	Acute, Clasping
Typical Foliar Area	Macrophyll ( 182.25cm2 - 1640.25 cm2 )
Typical Foliar Size	40 cm to 60 cm

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s)	White, Yellow / Golden, Red
Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence

Flower Location	Terminal
Flower Symmetry	Bilateral
Individual Flower Shape	Labiate / Lipped
Flower Size	5.6 cm

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Red, Orange
Mature Fruit Texture(s)	Velvety / Furry / Tomentose
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit

Fruit Type	Fleshy Fruit , Capsule
Mature Seed Colour(s)	Black

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Master ID	33794
Species ID	8210
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.