Renealmia alpinia
(Rottb.) Maas
Zingiberaceae
Alpinia bicalyculata Sessé & Moc.
Alpinia exaltata (L.f.) Roem. & Schult.
Alpinia macrantha Poepp. & Endl.
Alpinia pacoseroca Jacq.
Alpinia renealmia (Lam.) Sm.
Alpinia tubulata Ker Gawl.
Amomum renealmia Lam.
Amomum repens Lam.
Ethanium bracteosum (Griseb.) Kuntze
Ethanium exaltatum (L.f.) Kuntze
Ethanium macranthum (Poepp. & Endl.) Kuntze
Ethanium pacoseroca (Jacq.) Kuntze
Gethyra tubulata (Ker Gawl.) Sweet
Peperidium tubulatum Lindl.
Renealmia bracteosa Griseb.
Renealmia coelobractea K.Schum.
Renealmia exaltata L.f.
Renealmia foliosa S.Moore
Renealmia goyazensis K.Schum. & Gagnep.
Renealmia lativagina J.F.Macbr.
Renealmia macrantha Poepp. & Endl.
Renealmia occidentalis pacoderoca (Jacq.) Petersen
Renealmia pacoseroca (Jacq.) Horan.
Renealmia raja Petersen
Renealmia rubroflava K.Schum.
Siphotria squamosa Raf.
Common Name:
Plant growing in native habitat - note the fruits are produced near the base of the plant
Photograph by: Dick Culbert
General Information
Renealmia alpinia is a herbaceous perennial plant that can grow from 1 - 6 metres tall from a rhizome that can be 10 - 30cm thick. The plant often forms large colonies[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
,
850- Title
- Renealmia (Zingiberaceae-Zingiberoideae), Costoideae (Additions) (Zingiberaceae).
- Publication
- Flora Neotropica 18: 1 - 218
- Author
- Maas P.J.M.
- Publisher
- New York Botanical Garden; New York.
- Year
- 1977
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A monograph of the genus Renealmia in the American Tropics.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, food flavouring and source of a dye.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
,
850- Title
- Renealmia (Zingiberaceae-Zingiberoideae), Costoideae (Additions) (Zingiberaceae).
- Publication
- Flora Neotropica 18: 1 - 218
- Author
- Maas P.J.M.
- Publisher
- New York Botanical Garden; New York.
- Year
- 1977
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A monograph of the genus Renealmia in the American Tropics.
Range
S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Caribbean - Trinidad to Puerto Rico.
Habitat
Wet thickets or dense mixed forest, often forming large colonies, at elevations up to 1,200 metres in Guatemala[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
]. Secondary forest, inundated forest, swamps and stream banks; usually below 500 metres, occasionally ascending to 1,500 metres[
850- Title
- Renealmia (Zingiberaceae-Zingiberoideae), Costoideae (Additions) (Zingiberaceae).
- Publication
- Flora Neotropica 18: 1 - 218
- Author
- Maas P.J.M.
- Publisher
- New York Botanical Garden; New York.
- Year
- 1977
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A monograph of the genus Renealmia in the American Tropics.
].
Properties
Edibility Rating | |
Medicinal Rating | |
Other Uses Rating | |
Habit | Perennial |
Height | 3.00 m |
Pollinators | Humming birds |
Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
The light green foliage has a very gingery scent when crushed[
350- Title
- National Tropical Botanical Garden
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://ntbg.org/plants/choose_a_plant.php
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- General information on almost 400 species, with descriptions, habitats and some uses.
].
Edible Uses
The flesh of the fruit is mixed with rice meal, or can be added to soups, where it imparts a pleasant flavour[
592- Title
- Contributions to The Flora of Venezuela.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Steyermark J.A. Et al
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Chicago Natural History Museum; Chicago.
- Year
- 1951 - 1957
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent flora, though made at a time when botanical knowledge of the areas was still very lacking.
,
850- Title
- Renealmia (Zingiberaceae-Zingiberoideae), Costoideae (Additions) (Zingiberaceae).
- Publication
- Flora Neotropica 18: 1 - 218
- Author
- Maas P.J.M.
- Publisher
- New York Botanical Garden; New York.
- Year
- 1977
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A monograph of the genus Renealmia in the American Tropics.
]. The ellipsoid to subglobose, black-purple fruit is 15 - 35mm long and 8 - 20mm wide with a fleshy wall about 2 - 8mm thick[
850- Title
- Renealmia (Zingiberaceae-Zingiberoideae), Costoideae (Additions) (Zingiberaceae).
- Publication
- Flora Neotropica 18: 1 - 218
- Author
- Maas P.J.M.
- Publisher
- New York Botanical Garden; New York.
- Year
- 1977
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A monograph of the genus Renealmia in the American Tropics.
].
The leaves are wrapped round food when it is baked in order to impart their flavour into the food[
350- Title
- National Tropical Botanical Garden
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://ntbg.org/plants/choose_a_plant.php
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- General information on almost 400 species, with descriptions, habitats and some uses.
].
An oil obtained from the fruits can be used in cooking[
850- Title
- Renealmia (Zingiberaceae-Zingiberoideae), Costoideae (Additions) (Zingiberaceae).
- Publication
- Flora Neotropica 18: 1 - 218
- Author
- Maas P.J.M.
- Publisher
- New York Botanical Garden; New York.
- Year
- 1977
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A monograph of the genus Renealmia in the American Tropics.
].
Medicinal
The rhizome is carminative, stomachic and tonic[
739- Title
- Medicinal Plants of Brazil
- Publication
-
- Author
- Mors W.B.; Rizzini C.T.; Pereira N.A.
- Publisher
- Reference Publications; Michigan.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-917256-42-5
- Description
- An extremely concise book, listing approximately 1,500 species and varieties of plants with their botanical name, common name in Brazil, regions in Brazil where the plant is found, a brief list of uses and any medically active compounds in the plant.
]. It is used in a tea to treat heart problems manifested by shortness of breath[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
]. A decoction is drunk to induce vomiting and relieve stomach pains[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
]. It is used in a syrup with sugar as a remedy for chest colds[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].
A root decoction is used on swellings, sprains, sores, wounds and for stomach pains and malnutrition[
849- Title
- Medicinal and Ethnoveterinary Remedies of Hunters in Trinidad
- Publication
- BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2001; 1: 10.
- Author
- Lans C.; Harper T.; Georges K.; Bridgewater E.
- Website
- http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/1/10
- Publisher
- International Society for Complementary Medicine Research
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The paper is available online.
]. Decoctions or external baths of the rhizome are used by traditional healers for treating snakebites[
849- Title
- Medicinal and Ethnoveterinary Remedies of Hunters in Trinidad
- Publication
- BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2001; 1: 10.
- Author
- Lans C.; Harper T.; Georges K.; Bridgewater E.
- Website
- http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/1/10
- Publisher
- International Society for Complementary Medicine Research
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The paper is available online.
]. The juice of the rhizome is used to treat eye diseases and for treating strained backs[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
]. An infusion is used as a wash for cleaning ulcers[
739- Title
- Medicinal Plants of Brazil
- Publication
-
- Author
- Mors W.B.; Rizzini C.T.; Pereira N.A.
- Publisher
- Reference Publications; Michigan.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-917256-42-5
- Description
- An extremely concise book, listing approximately 1,500 species and varieties of plants with their botanical name, common name in Brazil, regions in Brazil where the plant is found, a brief list of uses and any medically active compounds in the plant.
].
The shoots are used for treating snakebite and stomachaches[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].
The purple-red juice from the berries is used to treat eye diseases[
849- Title
- Medicinal and Ethnoveterinary Remedies of Hunters in Trinidad
- Publication
- BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2001; 1: 10.
- Author
- Lans C.; Harper T.; Georges K.; Bridgewater E.
- Website
- http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/1/10
- Publisher
- International Society for Complementary Medicine Research
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The paper is available online.
].
The seeds are anthelmintic and aromatic[
739- Title
- Medicinal Plants of Brazil
- Publication
-
- Author
- Mors W.B.; Rizzini C.T.; Pereira N.A.
- Publisher
- Reference Publications; Michigan.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-917256-42-5
- Description
- An extremely concise book, listing approximately 1,500 species and varieties of plants with their botanical name, common name in Brazil, regions in Brazil where the plant is found, a brief list of uses and any medically active compounds in the plant.
].
An infusion of the leaves is used as a treatment for dysentery[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
]. The leaves are used in the treatment of hypertension[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].
A leaf poultice or bath is used on swellings, sprains, sores, wounds and for stomach pains and malnutrition[
849- Title
- Medicinal and Ethnoveterinary Remedies of Hunters in Trinidad
- Publication
- BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2001; 1: 10.
- Author
- Lans C.; Harper T.; Georges K.; Bridgewater E.
- Website
- http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/1/10
- Publisher
- International Society for Complementary Medicine Research
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The paper is available online.
]. A decoction of the leaves is used as a fever-bath for treating pulmonary conditions and typhoid, and to wash the hair in order to remove dandruff[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
]. An infusion is used in a herbal bath for strengthening the nerves[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].
The leaves contain diterpenes and proanthocyanins[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
,
849- Title
- Medicinal and Ethnoveterinary Remedies of Hunters in Trinidad
- Publication
- BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2001; 1: 10.
- Author
- Lans C.; Harper T.; Georges K.; Bridgewater E.
- Website
- http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/1/10
- Publisher
- International Society for Complementary Medicine Research
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The paper is available online.
].
An ethanolic extract of the rhizomes demonstrated moderate to full neutralising capacity of Bothrops atrox venom within 48 hours when it was injected into mice. The neutralisation was attributed to antiphospholipase A2 activity[
849- Title
- Medicinal and Ethnoveterinary Remedies of Hunters in Trinidad
- Publication
- BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2001; 1: 10.
- Author
- Lans C.; Harper T.; Georges K.; Bridgewater E.
- Website
- http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/1/10
- Publisher
- International Society for Complementary Medicine Research
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The paper is available online.
].
Other Uses
The ripe fruits produce a purple dye that is used for dying fibres of plants species such as Astrocaryum that are used in weaving[
350- Title
- National Tropical Botanical Garden
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://ntbg.org/plants/choose_a_plant.php
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- General information on almost 400 species, with descriptions, habitats and some uses.
].
The dye from the fruits is used as ink for writing and for skin tattoos[
350- Title
- National Tropical Botanical Garden
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://ntbg.org/plants/choose_a_plant.php
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- General information on almost 400 species, with descriptions, habitats and some uses.
,
850- Title
- Renealmia (Zingiberaceae-Zingiberoideae), Costoideae (Additions) (Zingiberaceae).
- Publication
- Flora Neotropica 18: 1 - 218
- Author
- Maas P.J.M.
- Publisher
- New York Botanical Garden; New York.
- Year
- 1977
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A monograph of the genus Renealmia in the American Tropics.
].
A yellow-orange dye is obtained from the root[
350- Title
- National Tropical Botanical Garden
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://ntbg.org/plants/choose_a_plant.php
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- General information on almost 400 species, with descriptions, habitats and some uses.
].
A decoction of the leaves is used to wash the hair in order to remove dandruff[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].
Propagation
Seed -
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