Common Name: Perched Gingerwort

General Information

Hedychium longicornutum is an epiphytic herb that clasps on to the branches of trees and large shrubs near ground level with its thick mass of fleshy roots[]. Several leafy stems up to 70cm tall grow out of a short, thick rhizome[].
The plant is gathered from the wild for local medicinal use.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

Widely scattered in lowland and lower hill forests on the stems and branches of small trees, which it clasps with its thick mass of fleshy roots[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots are used in the treatment of syphilis[].
A decoction of the roots, added to a bath, is traditionally used as a vermifuge[]. The root decoction is applied externally to treat earache[, ].

A decoction of the smaller wormlike rhizomes is used as a remedy for intestinal worms - this is probably based on the doctrine of signatures[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a lightly shaded position in containers in a nursery. Germination is best at 18°c[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out when large enough.
Division as growth commences[]. Dig up the clump and divide it with a sharp spade or knife, making sure that each division has a growing shoot. Larger clumps can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, but it is best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on until they are established.

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