Common name: Spiked ginger lily, Perfume ginger. Tamil Name: Poolakizhangu, Kichilikizhangu.
Spiked ginger lily is an evergreen, perennial, rhizomatic plant native to China-Myanmar region. It grows to a height of around 1 meter. The leafs are simple, dark green in color, sessile, ovate-lanceolate in shape with clasping sheets. The leaf measure around 30-35 cm in length. The inflorescence is in the form of a terminal spike which can measure around 25 cm in length. The flowers are very attractive, fragrant and come in orange-white color. The petals are linear, the stamens are red in color. The fruit is in the form of a globose capsule. The seeds are black in color with a red aril. Spiked ginger lily has numerous medicinal applications in traditional Indian medicinal systems. The rhizome is white in color and consumed as food. The plant is also used for extraction of perfume. A beautiful plant well suited for house gardens. I found this plant in near Munnar town near a small waterfall. It is perhaps rare for our region.
