Alpinia purpurata (Vieill.) K. Schum. | |
Zingiberaceae | |
Sigappu Injii | |
| Botanical Name | Alpinia purpurata (Vieill.) K. Schum. |
| Synonyms | Alpinia grandisK. Schum.; Guillainia purpurata Vieill. |
| Family | Zingiberaceae |
| Common Name | English: Red Ginger / Tamil: Sigappu Injii |
| Distribution | Global: Native to Malayan Peninsula. Cultivated and ornamental over tropics and subtropics countries Indian: Throughout India |
| Description | Robust aromatic herb grows up to 2-3m height. Leaves oblong, glabrous erect from underground rhizome, apex short acuminate, sessile, ligules unequally 2 lobed, sheaths pubescent at apex and along margins. Inflorescence terminal on leafy shoots, unbranched, basically cylindrical. Flower bisexual, zygomorphic, tubular, complete, primary bracts red to pink, ovate or broadly obovate, apex mucronate, persistent, bracteoles reddish, tubular with subapical spur, floral tube 2mm long, calyx reddish, corolla white, exserted beyond primary bracts, labellum white with 2 distinct lateral lobes. Stamens 2 fertile, staminodes present, long filament, anther two thecae. Ovary 3, style long, stigma capitate. Fruits capsule, globose, seeds angled. |
| Flowering Fruiting period | Throughout the year |
| Uses | Ornamental in garden. |
| Medicinal Uses | Used for digestive problems, reduce inflammation, increase fertility, prevent hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. |
| Tamil Name | Sigappu Injii |