Zingiber officinale

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  • Botanical Name/Scientific Name: Zingiber officinale
  • Genus: Zingiber
  • Synonym: Zingiber officinale f. rubens (Makino) M.Hiroe
  • Common/Local Name(s): ginger
  • Family: Zingaberaceae
  • Botanical Description: Zingiber officinale, is a reed-like plant that typically grows to about 1 meter (3 feet) in height. The above-ground part of the plant consists of upright, jointed stems that emerge from a thick, fleshy rhizome. The leaves are long, narrow, and lance-shaped (lanceolate), growing alternately from the stem. They can be up to 20 cm (8 inches) long and are green, smooth, and glossy. Leaves are arranged in two vertical rows on opposite sides of the stem, which creates a simple and elegant appearance. Ginger produces clusters of flowers on spikes that arise directly from the rhizome. These flower spikes are shorter than the leafy stems. The flowers are usually yellow with purple edges and have a very unique and ornamental appearance. They are small and can be somewhat cone-shaped, protected by green bracts.
  • Flowering/Fruiting: Flowering generally occurs in late spring to early summer, approximately around May to July.Ginger primarily reproduces through its rhizomes rather than through seed production and this is usually June to August.
  • Plant Uses: Culinary Uses(Cooking, Baking and Sweets & Beverages), Medicinal Uses, Health Supplements, Beauty and Personal Care and Aromatherapy
  • Origin: Introduced
  • Locality: Owo-ahiafor Obingwa Abia State
  • Habit: Herb
  • Mode: Cultivated

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