Lempuyang (Zingiber Zerumbet)

Lempuyang (Zingiber Zerumbet)

Zingiber zerumbet (awapuhi), also known as shampoo ginger (Malay = lempoyang) or pinecone ginger, is a vigorous species of the ginger family with leafy stems growing to about 1.2 m (3.9 ft) tall. It is found in many tropical countries. The rhizomes of Z. zerumbet have been used as food flavoring and appetizers in various cuisines while the rhizome extracts have been used in herbal medicine.

 The Scientific classification of Lempuyang (Zingiber Zerumbet)
Kingdom:     Plantae
(unranked):     Angiosperms
(unranked):     Monocots
(unranked):     Commelinids
Order:     Zingiberales
Family:     Zingiberaceae
Genus:     Zingiber
Species:     Z. zerumbet
Binomial name
Zingiber zerumbet
(L.) Roscoe ex Sm.

More Pictures: Lempuyang (Zingiber Zerumbet)

Z. zerumbet is a perennial. From autumn until spring it goes dormant above ground as the leafy stems shrivel and die away, leaving the pale brown, creeping stems (rhizomes) at ground level. In the spring, the plant springs up anew. The 10-12 blade-shaped leaves 15–20 cm long grow in an alternate arrangement on thin, upright stem to 1.2 m (3.9 ft) tall. Among the leafy stems, the conical or club-shaped flower heads burst forth on separate and shorter stalks. These appear in the summer, after the leafy stems have been growing for a while. The flower heads are initially green and are 3 to 10 cm (1.2 to 3.9 in) long with overlapping scales, enclosing small yellowish-white flowers that poke out a few at a time. As the flower heads mature, they gradually fill with an aromatic, slimy liquid and turn a brighter red color. The flower stalks usually remain hidden beneath the leaf stalks.

Sources by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zingiber_zerumbet

Awapuhi