Lesser galangal

Lesser Galangal (Alpinia officinarum), also known as Chinese ginger, is a plant in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is one of four plants known as "galangal", and is differentiated from the others with the common name "lesser" because it is the smallest of the galangal plants.

Description

The lesser galangal is a perennial herb that grows up to 2 meters in height. It has long, thin leaves, small white flowers, and red fruits. The rhizomes, known as galangal, are valued for their sweet spicy flavor and aromatic scent. These are used throughout Asia in curries and perfumes, and were previously used widely in Europe. They are also used as an herbal remedy.

Cultivation

Lesser galangal is native to China, growing in the southern part of the country and in Taiwan. It is also cultivated in Southeast Asia. The plant grows in clumps with stiff stalks, long leaves, and white flowers with deep red veining.

Uses

The rhizomes of lesser galangal are used in the cuisine of Indonesia and Malaysia, where they are ground and used as a spice. They are also used in traditional Chinese medicine for their supposed anti-inflammatory properties.

See also

• Greater galangal
• Kaempferia galanga
• Boesenbergia rotunda

References

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