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Home / Zingiberaceae / Alpinia / Alpinia zerumbet

Alpinia zerumbet

Light Galangal, Shell Ginger
Other regional names: Shellplant
  • Shellplant
Also known as: Alpinia cristata Griff. +16 more
  • Alpinia cristata Griff.
  • Alpinia fimbriata Gagnep.
  • Alpinia fluvitialis Hayata
  • Alpinia nutans var. longiramosa Gagnep.
  • Alpinia penicillata Roscoe
  • Alpinia schumanniana Valeton
  • Alpinia speciosa subsp. longiramosa Gagnep.
  • Alpinia speciosa var. longiramosa Gagnep.
  • Amomum nutans (Andrews) Schult.
  • Catimbium speciosum (J.C.Wendl.) Holttum
  • Costus zerumbet Pers.
  • Languas schumanniana (Valeton) Sasaki
  • Languas speciosa (J.C.Wendl.) Merr.
  • Languas speciosa (J.C.Wendl.) Small
  • Renealmia nutans Andrews
  • Renealmia spectabilis Rusby
  • Zerumbet speciosum J.C.Wendl.
Botanical Data
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Botanical Family: Zingiberaceae
  • WCVP Morphological Data: Recorded natively as a rhizomatous geophyte.

Originating in Temperate Asia and Tropical Asia, Alpinia zerumbet (commonly known as Light Galangal or Shell Ginger) is a rhizomatous plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae family. Within its native range, this species is primarily associated with subtropical conditions.

Macro Climate
Subtropical
Plant Type
Bulb

Native Range

Continents (WGSRPD)
ASIA-TEMPERATE, ASIA-TROPICAL
Regions (WGSRPD)
China, Eastern Asia, Indian Subcontinent, Indo-China, Malesia
Botanical Countries (WGSRPD L3)
Bangladesh, Cambodia, China South-Central, China Southeast, Hainan, Japan, Laos, Malaya, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

Introduced Range

Plants flagged as 'Introduced' have been transported outside their native historical range by human activity. While many are common ornamentals, some may become naturalized or invasive in local environments. Local ecological guidelines require verification prior to planting.
Botanical Countries (Non-Native)
Ascension, Azores, Bismarck Archipelago, Bolivia, Canary Is., Caroline Is., Cook Is., Cuba, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Florida, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, Leeward Is., New Caledonia, Ogasawara-shoto, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Solomon Is., St.Helena, Trinidad-Tobago, Tubuai Is., Vanuatu, Windward Is.

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