Common Name:

General Information

Siphonochilus aethiopicus is a perennial plant producing annual leafy stems about 35 cm tall from aromatic, perennial tuberous roots[, ].
Highly prized for its medicinal virtues, the plant has been over harvested from the wild in parts of its range to a point just short of total extinction[]. It is also cultivated on a garden scale for its medicinal and ornamental virtues. The cone shaped rhizomes and fleshy roots are dug up and sold in local markets around the country. The plant has very attractive, though short-lived, delicately scented flowers[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Drier areas of tropical and subtropical Africa.

Habitat

Savannah[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.35 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in tropical and subtropical climates, where it is adapted to growing in areas with a distinct dry season.
An easily grown plant, provided it is given a well-drained, compost rich soil and a warm, but shady position either in a container or in the garden[]. Plants respond very well to high levels of feeding with organic matter[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required. Female forms tend to be smaller than male forms[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The highly aromatic roots are antimicrobial and decongestant[]. They have a variety of medicinal and traditional uses[].
The rhizomes and roots are chewed fresh to treat asthma, hysteria, colds, coughs & flu[].

Wild Ginger is used to treat malaria and is chewed by women during menstruation[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - can take up to a year to germinate[].
Division of the rhizomes, carried out when plants are dormant. Be careful not to remove or damage the roots when splitting the rhizomes[].

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