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Etlingera hemisphaerica (Blume) R. M. Smith

Family Name:	Zingiberaceae
Synonyms:	Amomum hemisphaericum, Elettaria hemisphaerica, Phaeomeria hemisphaerica, Cardamomum hemisphaericum, Nicolaia hemisphaerica, Alpinia hemisphaerica
Common Name:	Helani Tulip Ginger, Helani Tulip Torch Ginger, Tulip Torch, Black Torch Ginger

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Lots of Water

Fruit or Vegetable

Ornamental Flowers

Herbaceous Plant

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

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

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Maximum Height	3 m to 6 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Indonesia (Sumatra and Java), Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Description and Ethnobotany

Others - Plant Morphology	Growth Form: Rhizomatous perennial with leafy shoots that occur in clumps. Habitat: Occurs in primary and secondary forests at altitudes of up to 950 m. Stem: Stem is round and herbaceous. Foliage: Glossy, alternate leaves are oblong with a wavy leaf margin, rounded base and acute apex (80 cm long, 15 cm wide). Young foliage is green on top and dark red to purple on the underside. Mature foliage is green on both sides with sometimes a light reddish hue on the underside. Flowers: About 40 - 50 flowers are arranged in a cup-shaped or tulip-like inflorescence (~6 cm wide). Only a few flowers are open at any given time. The inflorescences are borne on floral stalks that lack leaves (0.5 - 0.6 m tall). Fruits: A group of 2 - 20 indehiscent fruits are fused together. Individual fruits are pubescent and globular with an apex that is flattened or a little depressed. The fruits are an important food source for rodents. Landscaping: This species is planted in parks and public gardens. It is also planted in home gardens, but one should consider the large size this species attains at maturity (3 - 6 m) before planting. This species has low salt tolerance, so avoid planting in beach settings. However, it can be grown in a pot indoors, because the smaller soil volume will result in a more compact plant. In Hawaii, this species is often used in landscaping. Cultivation: Plant in soil that is rich in humus. Protect plants from wind. When grown indoors, this species requires a humid environment and thorough watering. Propagation: Propagate by seed or by division of the rhizome. Etymology: The genus name "Etlingera" was named after A.E. Etlinger, a botanist of the 18th century who published an extensive description of the genus Salvia. The species epithet "hemisphaerica" means hemispherical. It likely refers to the cup-shaped inflorescence.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves, Edible Stems Food (Fruit & Vegetable) Others: Food: Inflorescences and fruits (both unripe and ripe) are consumed raw or cooked. The leafy shoots are also edible.

Others - Plant Morphology

Growth Form: Rhizomatous perennial with leafy shoots that occur in clumps. Habitat: Occurs in primary and secondary forests at altitudes of up to 950 m. Stem: Stem is round and herbaceous. Foliage: Glossy, alternate leaves are oblong with a wavy leaf margin, rounded base and acute apex (80 cm long, 15 cm wide). Young foliage is green on top and dark red to purple on the underside. Mature foliage is green on both sides with sometimes a light reddish hue on the underside. Flowers: About 40 - 50 flowers are arranged in a cup-shaped or tulip-like inflorescence (~6 cm wide). Only a few flowers are open at any given time. The inflorescences are borne on floral stalks that lack leaves (0.5 - 0.6 m tall). Fruits: A group of 2 - 20 indehiscent fruits are fused together. Individual fruits are pubescent and globular with an apex that is flattened or a little depressed. The fruits are an important food source for rodents. Landscaping: This species is planted in parks and public gardens. It is also planted in home gardens, but one should consider the large size this species attains at maturity (3 - 6 m) before planting. This species has low salt tolerance, so avoid planting in beach settings. However, it can be grown in a pot indoors, because the smaller soil volume will result in a more compact plant. In Hawaii, this species is often used in landscaping. Cultivation: Plant in soil that is rich in humus. Protect plants from wind. When grown indoors, this species requires a humid environment and thorough watering. Propagation: Propagate by seed or by division of the rhizome. Etymology: The genus name "Etlingera" was named after A.E. Etlinger, a botanist of the 18th century who published an extensive description of the genus Salvia. The species epithet "hemisphaerica" means hemispherical. It likely refers to the cup-shaped inflorescence.

Ethnobotanical Uses

Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves, Edible Stems
Food (Fruit & Vegetable)
Others: Food: Inflorescences and fruits (both unripe and ripe) are consumed raw or cooked. The leafy shoots are also edible.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses	General, Container Planting

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Seed or Spore Dispersal	Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference	Lots of Water
Plant Growth Rate	Fast to Moderate

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

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Smooth, Glossy / Shiny
Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate

Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Alternate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Oblong)
Foliar Venation	Parallel
Foliar Margin	Entire - Wavy / Undulate
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acute
Foliar Base	Rounded / Obtuse
Typical Foliar Area	Macrophyll ( 182.25cm2 - 1640.25 cm2 )

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification	Herbaceous
Root Type	Underground (Fibrous Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s)	Pink, Red
Individual Flower Shape	Bowl-shaped
Flower Size - Remarks	6 cm

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID	30634
Species ID	4943
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.