ඇලිපිණියා මල් (Shell Ginger)
🌸
Description
- Scientific name: Alpinia zerumbet
- Family: Zingiberaceae (Ginger family)
- Appearance: Long hanging clusters of pink-and-white, shell-shaped flowers with bright yellow throats and a little red inside. The flowers often look like shiny seashells, which is why it’s called “Shell Ginger.”
- Leaves: Long, green, aromatic leaves that resemble those of turmeric or ginger plants.
🌏
Origin & Habitat
- Native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands.
- Widely grown in Sri Lanka as a decorative garden plant and sometimes found in temple gardens.
🌿
Uses
- Medicinal (traditional use in Asia):
- Leaves are boiled to make herbal tea, believed to lower blood pressure.
- Used for digestion and as an anti-inflammatory remedy.
- In Japanese Okinawan culture, it’s linked to longevity.
- Cultural / Decorative:
- Popular in garden landscaping for its beauty.
- Used in flower arrangements because of its long-lasting blooms.
- Aromatic Uses:
- Leaves are sometimes used to wrap food before steaming (adds fragrance).
🌱
Growing in Sri Lanka
- Thrives in warm, humid weather.
- Prefers partial shade but can grow in full sun with enough water.
- Needs rich, moist soil.
- Flowers usually appear after the rainy season.
Comments