lengkuas

Description:

Lengkuas (known by many other names as well) is a member of the ginger family and figures prominently in Thai and Indonesian cuisine. "The plant grows from rhizomes in clumps of stiff stalks up to two meters in height with abundant long leaves which bear red fruit. It is native to South Asia and Indonesia. It is cultivated in Malaysia, Laos, and Thailand."

Habitat:

Growing in a semi-urban yard/garden.

Notes:

"A. galanga is the 'galangal' used most often in cookery. The robust rhizome has a sharp, sweet taste and smells like a blend of black pepper and pine needles. The red fruit is used in traditional Chinese medicine and has a flavor similar to cardamom.The rhizome is an abortifacient. It has carminative, anti-tuberculosis and stimulant properties. Ground rhizome is also used in the treatment of skin infections like eczema, ringworm, etc."