Hedychium gardnerianum

Sheppard ex Ker Gawl.

Kahili ginger

Zingiberaceae Edible: Bulbs Potential hazards — see below 9,231 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Hedychium gardnerianum, the Kahili ginger, Kahila garland-lily or ginger lily, is a species of flowering plant in the ginger family Zingiberaceae, native to the Himalayas in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. It is an erect herbaceous perennial growing to 8 ft (2.4 m) tall with long, bright green leaves clasping the tall stems. The very fragrant pale yellow and red flowers are held in dense spikes above the foliage. They appear towards the end of summer.

Description

A ginger family herb. It grows 2.4 m tall. The rhizomes are large. The leaves are long and bright green and clasp the stem. They are 20-50 cm long and 10-20 cm wide. It has an attractive flower. It is pale yellow and red and has a scent. The flower spikes are 15-45 cm long.

Edible Uses

The bulbs (rhizomes) are edible, though traditionally not considered particularly attractive as food.

Traditional Uses

It is edible but not attractive.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Medicinal research indicates that the plant compound, villosin, in Hedychium gardnerianum has potent cytotoxicity activity against human small cell lung cancer cells.

Known Hazards

It can be invasive.

Distribution

It is a tropical and subtropical plant.

Where It Grows

Africa, Azores, Australia, Bhutan, Central America, Hawaii, Himalayas, Honduras, India*, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Northeastern India, Reunion, SE Asia, Sikkim, Slovenia, Thailand*, USA, Vietnam,