Zingiber mioga
(Thunb.) Roscoe
Zingiberaceae
Amomum mioga Thunb.
Zingiber echuanense Y.K.Yang
Zingiber mijooka Siebold
Zingiber sjooka Siebold
Common Name: Mioga Ginger
Young plant
Photograph by: Hiroshi Kumai
Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication
Young plant
Photograph by: Hiroshi Kumai
Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication
Unopen flower, used as a spice
Photograph by: Mariko GODA
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Ripening fruits
Photograph by: zikt10va
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0
Drawing of the plant
Photograph by: M.S.
Public domain
General Information
Zingiber mioga is a herbaceous, perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock and producing a clump of erect, unbranched stems that can grow 150 - 200cm tall. The flowers are produced at the base of the stems.
The plant is harvested fom the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is sometimes cultivated for its leaves, and is occasionally available fresh in Japanese markets[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. It is also grown as an ornamental.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
58- Title
- Flora of Japan. (English translation)
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ohwi. G.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution
- Year
- 1965
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
Range
E. Asia - central and southern Japan, southern China, Vietnam.
Habitat
Shaded forest floor of primary lowland forest[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Moist places in mountain valleys[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial |
| Height | 1.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Requires a well-drained, fertile soil and a position in semi-shade.
The plant is aromatic.
Edible Uses
The young shoots are often used in Japanese cuisine. They can be blanched and added to soups, tempura and tofu dishes[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. They add a pleasant, spicy aroma and flavour[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. They can also be pickled or chopped finely and used as a garnish for sashimi[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].
The aromatic, pale yellow flowers have a sharp flavour and are added to soups, fried foods and vinegary dishes[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. They can also be pickled with salt, vinegar or sake lees[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].
Medicinal
The roots are used in the treatment of malaria, malacia (a pathologic state of tissue softening, typified by necrosis), insect and scorpion bites[
178- Title
- Chinese Materia Medica.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Stuart. Rev. G. A.
- Publisher
- Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
- Year
- 1911
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.
].
A decoction of the roots is used as a wash to treat inflamed eyes[
178- Title
- Chinese Materia Medica.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Stuart. Rev. G. A.
- Publisher
- Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
- Year
- 1911
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.
].
The leaves have similar virtnes to the roots and, in addition to the uses already detailed above, are also used as a
prophylactic[
178- Title
- Chinese Materia Medica.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Stuart. Rev. G. A.
- Publisher
- Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
- Year
- 1911
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.
].
Other Uses
The old leaves when twisted and kneaded are used for making saddles.
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
