10,825 bytes added
, 12:16, 2 April 2007
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Alpinia''
| image = Red Ginger.jpg
| image_width = 190px
| image_caption = Red Ginger (''Alpinia purpurata'')
| regnum = [[Plantae]]
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Zingiberales]]
| familia = [[Zingiberaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Alpinioideae]]
| tribus = [[Alpinieae]]
| genus = '''''Alpinia'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
See text.
}}
''' ''Alpinia'' ''' is a rather large [[genus]] of [[plant]]s, with more than 230 species from the Ginger family ([[Zingiberaceae]]).
[[DNA]] sequence-based methods (See : References) have shown that this genus is [[polyphyletic]]. It is represented by six [[clade]]s distributed across the tribe [[Alpinieae]], that do not correspond to Smith's (1990) classification of the genus (See : References). Further research is needed to specify the taxa in this genus.
They occur in tropical and subtropical climates of [[Asia]] and the [[Pacific]], and are in great demand as ornamentals because of their flashy [[flower]]s.
These plants grow from large [[rhizome]]s. The stem consists of closely folded blades, such as in [[banana]] trees. The flowers grow on long [[raceme]]s.
==Ethnomedical Uses==
[[Alpinia galanga]] is a commonly used species, with similar use and flavor to [[Kaempferia galaga]].
*The [[rhizome]] is used to create a [[tincture]] that is applied [[topical]]ly to treat [[fungal]] skin infections.
*The [[rhizome]] is taken orally to enhance digestion, treat intestinal infection, [[Type II Diabetes]], [[bronchitis]], [[rheumatism]], and as an [[aphrodesiac]]
== Species ==
'''Common species:'''
* ''[[Alpinia abundiflora]]''
* ''[[Alpinia acrostachya]]''
* ''[[Alpinia caerulea]]'' - Australian Native Ginger
* ''[[Alpinia conchigera]]'' - Lesser Alpinia
* ''[[Alpinia emaculata]]''
* ''[[Alpinia galanga]]'' - Greater Galingal
* ''[[Alpinia javanica]]'' - Javanese Alpinia
* ''[[Alpinia melanocarpa]]'' - Black-fruited Alpinia
* ''[[Alpinia mutica]]'' - Small Shell Ginger, Orchid Ginger, Narrow-leaved Alpinia
* ''[[Alpinia nutans]]'' - Dwarf Cardamon, Ginger Lily, Shell Ginger
* ''[[Alpinia officinarum]]'' - Lesser Galangal, Chinese Ginger
* ''[[Alpinia petiolata]]'' - Stalked-leaved Alpinia
* ''[[Alpinia purpurata]]'' - Red Ginger, Ostrich Plume, Jungle Queen, Pink Cone Ginger
* ''[[Alpinia pyramidata]]'' - Java Galangal
* ''[[Alpinia rafflesiana]]'' - Raffles' Alpinia
* ''[[Alpinia speciosa]]'' - Shellflower, Shellplant
* ''[[Alpinia striata]]''
* ''[[Alpinia zerumbet]]'' - Golden Lotus, Shell Ginger)
* ''[[Alpinia zingiberina]]''
'''Less common species:'''
*''Alpinia acuminata''
*''Alpinia aenea''
*''Alpinia affinis''
*''Alpinia agiokuensis''
*''Alpinia alata''
*''Alpinia albertisii''
*''Alpinia albipurpurea''
*''Alpinia allugas''
*''Alpinia amentacea''
*''Alpinia angustifolia''
*''Alpinia annabellae''
*''Alpinia antillarum''
*''Alpinia apoensis''
*''Alpinia aquatica''
*''Alpinia arctiflora''
*''Alpinia arfakensis''
*''Alpinia arundelliana''
*''Alpinia assimilis''
*''Alpinia athroantha''
*''Alpinia aurantiaca''
*''Alpinia auriculata''
*''Alpinia bambusifolia''
*''Alpinia beamanii''
*''Alpinia biakensis''
*''Alpinia bicalyculata''
*''Alpinia bifida''
*''Alpinia bilamellata''
*''Alpinia bisculata''
*''Alpinia blepharocalyx''
*''Alpinia blumei''
*''Alpinia boia''
*''Alpinia boninsimensis''
*''Alpinia borneensis''
*''Alpinia borraginoides''
*''Alpinia brachyantha''
*''Alpinia brachypoda''
*''Alpinia bracteata''
*''Alpinia brevilabris''
*''Alpinia brevis''
*''Alpinia brevituba''
*''Alpinia burkillii''
*''Alpinia calcarata''
*''Alpinia calcicola''
*''Alpinia calycodes''
*''Alpinia campanaria''
*''Alpinia cannaefolium''
*''Alpinia capitellata''
*''Alpinia cardamomum-medium''
*''Alpinia carinata''
*''Alpinia carnea''
*''Alpinia carolinensis''
*''Alpinia celebica''
*''Alpinia cernua''
*''Alpinia chaunocolea''
*''Alpinia chinensis''
*''Alpinia chrysorachis''
*''Alpinia coerulea''
*''Alpinia coeruleo-viridis''
*''Alpinia colossea''
*''Alpi
nia comosa''
*''Alpinia condensata''
*''Alpinia conferta''
*''Alpinia congesta''
*''Alpinia conghuaensis''
*''Alpinia conglomerata''
*''Alpinia copelandii''
*''Alpinia corallina''
*''Alpinia coriacea''
*''Alpinia coriandriodora''
*''Alpinia cornu-cervi''
*''Alpinia cristata''
*''Alpinia crocodocalyx''
*''Alpinia cumingii''
*''Alpinia cylindrocephala''
*''Alpinia dasystachys''
*''Alpinia decurva''
*''Alpinia decurvata''
*''Alpinia dekockii''
*''Alpinia densespictata''
*''Alpinia densibractetata''
*''Alpinia densiflora''
*''Alpinia diffissa''
*''Alpinia divaricata''
*''Alpinia dolichocephala''
*''Alpinia domatifera''
*''Alpinia dyeri''
*''Alpinia edanoi''
*''Alpinia elmeri''
*''Alpinia elwesii''
*''Alpinia engleriana''
*''Alpinia eremochlamys''
*''Alpinia eremochlamys''
*''Alpinia euastra''
*''Alpinia eubractea''
*''Alpinia eustales''
*''Alpinia exostylis''
*''Alpinia flabellata''
*''Alpinia flava''
*''Alpinia flexistamen''
*''Alpinia fluvitialis''
*''Alpinia formosana''
*''Alpinia foxworthyi''
*''Alpinia fraseriana''
*''Alpinia fusiformis''
*''Alpinia gagnepainii''
*''Alpinia gigantea''
*''Alpinia glabra''
*''Alpinia glabrescens''
*''Alpinia glacicaerulea''
*''Alpinia globosa''
*''Alpinia gracilis''
*''Alpinia gracillima''
*''Alpinia graminea''
*''Alpinia grandiceps''
*''Alpinia grandis''
*''Alpinia guinanensis''
*''Alpinia haenkei''
*''Alpinia hagena''
*''Alpinia hainanensis''
*''Alpinia hamiltoniana''
*''Alpinia hansenii''
*''Alpinia havilandii''
*''Alpinia hemsleyanan''
*''Alpinia henryi''
*''Alpinia hibinoi''
*''Alpinia himantoglossa''
*''Alpinia hirsuta''
*''Alpinia hokutensis''
*''Alpinia homeana''
*''Alpinia hookeriana''
*''Alpinia hulstijnii''
*''Alpinia humilis''
*''Alpinia hylandii''
*''Alpinia illustris''
*''Alpinia intermedia''
*''Alpinia involucrata''
*''Alpinia iriomotensis''
*''Alpinia janowskii''
*''Alpinia japonica''
*''Alpinia jianganfeng''
*''Alpinia jingxiensis''
*''Alpinia kainantensis''
*''Alpinia katsumadae''
*''Alpinia kelungensis''
*''Alpinia kermesina''
*''Alpinia kiungensis''
*''Alpinia kiushiana''
*''Alpinia koidzumiana''
*''Alpinia korthalsii''
*''Alpinia koshunensis''
*''Alpinia kumatahe''
*''Alpinia kusshakuensis''
*''Alpinia kwangsiensis''
*''Alpinia laosensis''
*''Alpinia latilabris''
*''Alpinia lauterbachii''
*''Alpinia laxiflora''
*''Alpinia laxisecunda''
*''Alpinia leptostachya''
*''Alpinia ligulata''
*''Alpinia linguiformis''
*''Alpinia longepetiola''
*''Alpinia luteo-carpa''
*''Alpinia maclurei''
*''Alpinia maclurei <br>guangdongensis''
*''Alpinia macrantha''
*''Alpinia macrocarpa''
*''Alpinia macrocephala''
*''Alpinia macroscaphis''
*''Alpinia macrostemon''
*''Alpinia macroura''
*''Alpinia maculata''
*''Alpinia malaccensis''
*''Alpinia malaccensis nobilis''
*''Alpinia manii''
*''Alpinia manostachys''
*''Alpinia martinii''
*''Alpinia maxii''
*''Alpinia mediomaculata''
*''Alpinia menghaiensis''
*''Alpinia mesanthera''
*''Alpinia microlophon''
*''Alpinia missionis''
*''Alpinia modesta''
*''Alpinia mollis''
*''Alpinia mollissima''
*''Alpinia molucana''
*''Alpinia monopleura''
*''Alpinia multispicata''
*''Alpinia murdochii''
*''Alpinia musaefedia''
*''Alpinia myriocratera''
*''Alpinia nanchuanensis''
*''Alpinia napoensis''
*''Alpinia neesana''
*''Alpinia nidus-vespae''
*''Alpinia nieuwenhuizii''
*''Alpinia novae-hiberniae''
*''Alpinia novae-pommeraniae''
*''Alpinia nupiocratera''
*''Alpinia oblongifolia''
*''Alpinia oceanica''
*''Alpinia odontonema''
*''Alpinia oligantha''
*''Alpinia orchioides''
*''Alpinia orthostachys''
*''Alpinia ovata''
*''Alpinia ovoidocarpa''
*''Alpinia oxymitra''
*''Alpinia oxyphylla''
*''Alpinia padacanca''
*''Alpinia pahangensis''
*''Alpinia papuana''
*''Alpinia parviflora''
*''Alpinia pectinata''
*''Alpinia penduliflora''
*''Alpinia penicillata''
*''Alpinia philippinensis''
*''Alpinia phoenicea''
*''Alpinia pininga''
*''Alpinia pinnanensis''
*''Alpinia platychilus''
*''Alpinia plectophylla''
*''Alpinia plumieri''
*''Alpinia polyantha''
*''Alpinia porphyrea''
*''Alpinia porphyrocarpa''
*''Alpinia porrecta''
*''Alpinia pricei''
*''Alpinia psilogyna''
*''Alpinia pt
erocalyx''
*''Alpinia ptychanthera''
*''Alpinia pulcherrima''
*''Alpinia pumila''
*''Alpinia punicea''
*''Alpinia quadriloba''
*''Alpinia racimigera''
*''Alpinia racemosa''
*''Alpinia rafflesiana''
*''Alpinia rechingeri''
*''Alpinia regia''
*''Alpinia reticosa''
*''Alpinia rheedii''
*''Alpinia rigida''
*''Alpinia rolfei''
*''Alpinia romblonensis''
*''Alpinia romburghiana''
*''Alpinia rosacea''
*''Alpinia roscoeana''
*''Alpinia rosea''
*''Alpinia rosella''
*''Alpinia roxburghii''
*''Alpinia rubella''
*''Alpinia rubra''
*''Alpinia rubricaulis''
*''Alpinia rubromaculata''
*''Alpinia salamonensis''
*''Alpinia samoensis''
*''Alpinia sanderae''
*''lpinia sandsii''
*''Alpinia sasakii''
*''Alpinia satsumensis''
*''Alpinia schultzei''
*''Alpinia schumanniana''
*''Alpinia secunda''
*''Alpinia secundiflora''
*''Alpinia seimundii''
*''Alpinia sericea''
*''Alpinia sericiflora''
*''Alpinia serrulata''
*''Alpinia shimadae''
*''Alpinia siamensis''
*''Alpinia sibuyanensis''
*''Alpinia silvicola''
*''Alpinia simsii''
*''Alpinia singuliflora''
*''Alpinia smithiae''
*''Alpinia spicata''
*''Alpinia squarrosa''
*''Alpinia stachyodes''
*''Alpinia stapfiana''
*''Alpinia stenobracteolata''
*''Alpinia stenostachys''
*''Alpinia strobilacea''
*''Alpinia strobiliformis''
*''Alpinia subfusicarpa''
*''Alpinia submutica''
*''Alpinia subspicata''
*''Alpinia subverticillata''
*''Alpinia suishaensis''
*''Alpinia takaminei''
*''Alpinia tamacuensis''
*''Alpinia tomentosa''
*''Alpinia tonkinensis''
*''Alpinia tonrokuensis''
*''Alpinia trachyascus''
*''Alpinia tricolor''
*''Alpinia tubulata''
*''Alpinia unilateralis''
*''Alpinia uraiensis''
*''Alpinia uviformis''
*''Alpinia valetoniana''
*''Alpinia vanoverberghii''
*''Alpinia velutina''
*''Alpinia versicolor''
*''Alpinia viridiflora''
*''Alpinia vittata''
*''Alpinia vitiensis''
*''Alpinia vulcanica''
*''Alpinia walang''
*''Alpinia warburgii''
*''Alpinia wenzelii''
*''Alpinia werneri''
*''Alpinia womerslyi''
*''Alpinia wrayi''
<gallery>
Image:Alpinia zerumbet pods.jpg|Shell Ginger (fruit dehiscing)
Image:Starr 020617 0011 alpinia zerumbet.jpg|Shell Ginger (flowers)
Image:Alpinia zerumbet habit.jpg|Shell Ginger (''Alpinia zerumbet'')
</gallery>
== References ==
* Smith, R.M. (1990) "''Alpinia'' (Zingiberaceae): a proposed new infrageneric classification". ''Edinburgh Journal of Botany'' '''47(1): 37''', fig. 6B.
* W. John Kress, Ai-Zhong Liu, Mark Newman and Qing-Jun Li - ''The molecular phylogeny of Alpinia (Zingiberaceae): a complex and polyphyletic genus of gingers''; American Journal of Botany; 2005; 92:167-178
{{Commons|Alpinia zerumbet}}
[[Category:Zingiberales]]