Ginger family
Description
A family of monocotyledenous rhizomatous and aromatic herbs, occurring in tropical rainforests, mainly in Asia (Zingiberaceae 1).
The rhizome is fleshy, bearing roots. The leaves are simple and entire, with pinnate nervation and a sheathing base with ligule. The flowers are borne in inflorescences, either on the stem or from the rhizome. The flowers are irregular and very complicated in structure. Most conspicuous is a labellum-like structure resulting from the fusion of two sterile stamens, leaving only 1 fertile stamen. There is a tubular calyx made of 3 fused sepals, and 3 more or less fused petals. The ovary is inferior. The fruit is a capsule or fleshy berry.
There are about 50 genera.
Use
The family provides a number of spices and condiments like ginger, turmeric, cardamon and galangal.
Described species
Zingiber officinale, ginger
Curcuma domestica, turmeric
Elettaria cardamomum, cardamon
Languas galanga, galangal, see Elettaria cardamomum
Languas officinarum, galangal, see Elettaria cardamomum
Amomum subulatum, greater Indian or Nepal cardamon, see Elettaria cardamomum