Awapuhi, Red Ginger

Description:

Zingiber zerumbet is the scientific name for the awapuhi. This plant is found in many tropical countries, apart of a species of ginger family. During autumn, the plant is dormant (above ground). The stems of the plant slowly shrivel, leaving the rhizomes on the ground. In the spring, the plant springs up. The leaves of the Z. zerumbet grow in numbers of 10-12, at 15-20 cm long in an alternate arrangement. They grow on a stem that stands upright, about 3.9 ft. tall. The flower heads grow on separate stalk, and appear in the summer, when the leaves have been growing for a while. The flower heads are initially a green color, and eventually mature into a brighter red color, filling with a slimy liquid, releasing an aromatic smell. The Z. zerumbet is perennial, meaning that it is a plant that can live for more than 2 years.

Habitat:

This spotting was found at Kamehameha Schools, Kapālama, on the lower high school campus.

Notes:

The Z. zerumbet is believed to have originated in India. It was eventually distributed though the Polynesian Islands, being introduced to places like the Hawaiian islands, where it grows wild today. The juices of the Z. zerumbet can be used to quench thirst, and can be combined with mountain apples to make a meal.