Zingiber - Plant Encyclopedia Results (Page 8)

The Kaempferia angustifolia complex is full of many cultivars and wild forms. 'Laos Silver Stripe' is certainly one of the most beautiful of all the Kaempferia angustifolia cultivars.

Kaempferia angustifolia prefer a position in partial shade, growing best in a moist, well-drained, fertile, humus-rich soil.

Native to tropical Asia, this small shrub grows up to 2-5 ft and is known for its fragrant pink or white flowers.

Kaempferia galanga is an ethnomedical plant found in many regions of Southeast Asia, used for its nutritional and medicinal properties. The sand ginger shrub prefers to thrive in warm, moist climates, in regions such as USDA Zones 8 to 11. This plant enjoys partial to full shade, so it is not recommended for full-sun locations. When supplying light to the shrub, it is best to provide it with bright indirect sunlight. For growing Kaempferia galanga in colder regions, it is suggested to keep it as a houseplant in a pot that can be moved indoors and placed in front of a window. Moderately moist soil will keep the plant growing and blooming well. Water the plant when the top inch of the soil feels dry; during dry periods, increase waterings to keep the soil moist.

In terms of feeding, this plant benefits from occasional feeding with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. When applying fertilizer, dilute the solution with at least half the recommended amount and apply it every 2-4 weeks during the summer. During the winter, reduce feedings or stop them altogether. As far as temperature is concerned, it is best to keep the plant in temperatures between 65-85F (18-29C). Use of a humidity tray and misting around the plants can help in providing the necessary moisture for the Kaempferia galanga.

The sand ginger shrub is a delightful addition to any garden, and it can be a useful herb for cooking and medicinal purposes. With proper care, this beautiful plant will blossom in any garden, providing lovely pink and white blooms that will fill your garden with a sweet fragrance.

A very low growing and compact ginger blooming continuously through summer. The foliage of this Kaemferia has a silvery cast, making the plants stand out in shady areas of the garden. In mid-summer the plants have numerous pink-purple blossoms that seem to have a metallic sheen. The almost sparkling blooms mingle perfectly with the silvery foliage and brighten the woodland garden.

Kaempferia grow from small globular rhizomes which grow fleshy roots. Most are low growing which colorfully marked foliage. Flowers either emerge in the spring just prior to the foliage or with the foliage continuing flowering through the summer. Most species naturally go dormant for a portion of the year.

The genus has had little attention until recently and new species are finally being published.

The Renealmia species are the cousins to the Alpinia. its leaves have a fragrant gingerly scent and are not as cold hardy as the Alpinia species.

These 18 of tuberous perennials are related to Ginger, but in appearance are more reminiscent of Irises.They are grown for their orchid-like flowers.

They grow vigorously during the warm season, if they are kept moist, and then die back suddenly in autumn to a short resting rhizome with fleshy roots. They are cold hardy, but they are susceptible to excess water in winter when dormant.

Siphonochilus is a genus of plants native to sub-Saharan Africa.

This genus usually goes dormant from November-May.

See Article about African gingers by John Banta.

Costus igneus (Chamaecostus cuspidatus) is known as the insulin plant because it may help lower glucose levels for some people with diabetes. Researchers believe it can help lower blood sugar level.

The plant has large, fleshy, smooth turmeric-like spiral leaves that are dark green on top with light purple undersides. The undersides of these large, smooth, dark green leaves have light purple shade. The leaves are spirally arranged around the stem, forming attractive, arching clumps arising from underground rootstocks. The maximum height of these plants is about two feet. The flowers are orange in color, appear to be cone-like heads at the tips of branches. Flowering occurs during the warm months.

Grow Costus igneus in either full sun or partial shade. Costus igneus needs fertile soil, with plenty of moisture. Due to these requirements, it is often planted near water. It makes a nice aesthetic accent in landscaped shrub borders, where the orange flowers will contrast the greens of the shrub border. Planted on two to three foot centers, Costus igneus can act as a tall ground cover, and can help brighten a partially shaded location. Propagation is by division of the clumps, cuttings, or by separating the offsets or plantlets that form below the flower heads.

The species reproduces vegetative by rhizome and birds disperse seeds when they feed on the fruits. Costus products are sometimes called Costus comosus and are edible in nature. The flower petals are edible! The flower petals are quite sweet and nutritious. It's a lower grower and makes a great ground cover. The plant grows very quickly. It is cultivated in India for its use in traditional medicine and elsewhere as an ornamental. It thrives in sunny areas with a little shade. It is a rapid growing plant, that spreads from rhizomes that form attractive foliage around the original root stock.

Costus igneus does well planted in the ground year round in USDA zones 9-11, but is also very suitable for a container garden or above-ground planter. The plant is moderately tolerant of drought. The Insulin Plant makes a beautiful indoor or house plant, perfect for cascading down a wall.

In Siddha medicine, it is known as kostum. It is being cultivated in Kashmir and the Himalayan regions for its root. It is related to the gingers and was originally part of the family Zingiberaceae. But now the Costus species and their kin have been reclassified into their own family, Costaceae.

Studies suggest that Insulin Plant has antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiproliferative, hepatoprotective properties. The plant is also traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of diabetes. Recent research indicates that compounds within the Insulin plant help regulate blood sugar levels, supporting these traditional uses and claims. The plant does not actually contain insulin, which is a misnomer, and can lead to confusion. The blood sugar regulating effects of the plant are it's prominent medicinal value, and are currently being assessed by pharmaceutical companies for use in over the counter and prescription based diabetes treatments.

10 benefits of insulin plant:

- Helps to reduce high blood glucose level

- Improves digestion

- Reduces cholesterol level

- Increases energy level

- Promotes weight loss

- Good for skin health

- Prevents heart diseases

- Relieves stress.