Torch Ginger

Flower

This is a relation of the table ginger and comes from South East Asia. The stems, like most gingers, are made up of rolled up leaf bases and sheaths, and grows rather large, around 3-4 metres. The flowers appear at the base of the stems. Each "flower" is actually made up of colourful bracts arranged in a cone, the real flowers are small and appear in the bract axils.

The buds are used as a spice in South East Asian cooking. The fresh bud is typically thinly sliced and either added to cooking or used as a garnish. Whole buds, crushed, are sometimes used.

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See also:  Bulbs, Corms & Tubers, Food plants

Bud