Torch Ginger

Etlingera elatior

Description:

Torch Ginger is a coarse herb growing in large clumps of 3-6 m high. The leaves are up to 85 x 18 cm.

Habitat:

Native to Malaysia

Notes:

The showy pink flowers are used in decorative arrangements while the flower buds are an important ingredient in the Nonya dish laksa. In North Sumatra, the flower buds are used for a dish called arsik ikan mas (Andaliman/Szechuan pepper Spiced Carp)

1 species ID suggestions

bayucca a year ago

Torch Ginger

Etlingera elatior Etlingera elatior

7 Comments

Gerardo Aizpuru a year ago

Congratulations HKZoe!
Wonderful spotting

bayucca a year ago

Congrats!! Wonderful spotting!

Yasser a year ago

Wow, that story makes it even more wonderful! You never know when or where you'll stumble across nature's beauty :)

HKZoe a year ago

Thanks so much @Yasser...I almost thought it was a plastic plant because it looked so perfect. The hotel where I saw this, use 70% of their plants and flowers for cooking with. This beauty was hidden away next to an airconditioner!

achmmad a year ago

Beautiful!

Yasser a year ago

HKZoe, this absolutely beautiful flower has been selected as Spotting of the Day!

"The stunning flowers of the Torch Ginger are used in decorative arrangements while its flower buds are a key ingredient in laksa, a spicy noodle soup merging Chinese and Malay flavors."

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