Alpinia caerulea

Last updated

Native ginger
Alpinia-caerulea-SF22361-02.jpg
Foliage and fruit
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Zingiberaceae
Genus: Alpinia
Species:
A. caerulea
Binomial name
Alpinia caerulea
Synonyms [3]
  • Hellenia caeruleaR.Br.

Alpinia caerulea, commonly known as native ginger or Australian ginger, is an understorey perennial herb in the family Zingiberaceae which grows in rainforest, gallery forest and wet sclerophyll forest in eastern Australia.

Contents

Description

Alpinia caerulea is a rhizomatous plant with arching stalks growing to 2–3 m (6 ft 7 in – 9 ft 10 in) long. [4] [5] [6] Each carries a number of large alternately arranged leaves up to 40 cm (16 in) long and 10 cm (3.9 in) wide. [4] [5] [6] They are either sessile or with a very short petiole, glossy dark green above and lighter below, with an acuminate tip. [4] [5] [6]

The inflorescence is terminal on the stalks, up to 30 cm (12 in) long and contains numerous white flowers. [4] [5] [6] The fruit is a capsule, blue, globose and about 1 cm (0.39 in) diameter. The casing is thin and brittle, containing numerous black seeds set in white pith. [4] [5] [6]

Flowering occurs from September to April, and the fruit may ripen in any month. [7]

Taxonomy

This species was first described – albeit very briefly – in 1810 by the Scottish botanist Robert Brown, who gave it the name Hellenia caerulea. [8] The English botanist George Bentham reviewed the taxon in 1873 and gave it a much more detailed description, as well as the new combination Alpinia caerulea. It was published in the book Flora australiensis: a description of the plants of the Australian territory. [9]

Etymology

The genus name Alpinia was coined by Carl Linnaeus in honour of the Italian botanist Prospero Alpini, and the species epithet caerulea is derived from the Latin word caeruleus , meaning blue, which is a reference to the fruit colour. [7]

Vernacular names

This plant is known as Jun jun by the Kuku Yalanji people of coastal north east Queensland. [10]

Distribution and habitat

The native ginger is endemic to New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. The natural range is from the Gosford district north along the coast to the tip of Cape York Peninsula and the islands of the Torres Strait (see map of sightings in the External links section below). [4] [5] [6] It grows in coastal and sub-coastal rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest, commonly beside waterways. [4] [5] [6] The altitudinal range is from sea level to around 1,400 m (4,590 ft). [4] [7]

It is thought that the species might also occur in New Guinea. [5]

Ecology

Alpinia caerulea is one of the host species for larvae of the banded demon butterfly (Notocrypta waigensis). [4] The fruits are popular with a variety of birds including brush turkeys (Alectura lathami), [10] southern cassowaries (Casuarius casuarius), crimson rosellas (Platycercus elegans), king parrots (Alisterus scapularis), regent bowerbirds (Sericulus chrysocephalus), satin bowerbirds (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus), and Lewin's honeyeaters (Meliphaga lewinii). [7] Some Australian rodents also eat the fruit, including giant white-tailed rats (Uromys caudimaculatus) and fawn-footed melomys (Melomys cervinipes). [7]

Conservation

This species is listed by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science as least concern. [1] As of 10 May 2023, it has not been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Uses

For the Kuku Yalanji people of far northern Queensland, this plant had many uses – the fruit and rhizomes were eaten, the leaves were used to cover their shelters and to wrap meat when cooking in earth ovens. [10] [11]

New shoots are also edible, and have a mild ginger flavour. [12] The white flesh surrounding the seeds is crisp and acidic, [11] [13] and during long walks it was chewed by Indigenous Australians to activate the salivary glands and moisten the mouth, with the seeds usually being discarded. [13] [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daintree Rainforest</span> Rainforest in Australia

The Daintree Rainforest, also known as the Daintree, is a region on the northeastern coast of Queensland, Australia, about 105 km (65 mi), by road, north of the city of Cairns. Whilst the terms "Daintree Rainforest" and "the Daintree" are not officially defined, it is generally accepted and understood that they refer to the area from the Daintree River north to Cooktown, and from the coastline west to the Great Dividing Range. The popular tourist destination of Mossman Gorge, some 30 km (19 mi) south of the Daintree River, is often included in the definition.

<i>Brachychiton acerifolius</i> Species of tree in the family Malvaceae

Brachychiton acerifolius is a large tree of the family Malvaceae endemic to tropical and subtropical regions on the east coast of Australia. It is famous for the bright red bell-shaped flowers that often cover the whole tree when it is leafless. It is commonly known as the flame tree, Illawarra flame tree, lacebark tree, or kurrajong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape Tribulation, Queensland</span> Suburb of Shire of Douglas, Queensland, Australia

Cape Tribulation is a headland and coastal locality in the Shire of Douglas in northern Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Cape Tribulation had a population of 123 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mossman Gorge, Queensland</span> Suburb of Shire of Douglas, Queensland, Australia

Mossman Gorge is a rural locality in the Shire of Douglas, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Mossman Gorge had a population of 246 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kuku Yalanji</span> Aboriginal Australian people of Far North Queensland rainforest region

The Kuku Yalanji, also known as Gugu-Yalanji, Kuku Yalandji or Kokojelandji, are an Aboriginal Australian people originating from the rainforest regions of Far North Queensland.

<i>Neolitsea dealbata</i> Species of plant in the family Lauraceae

Neolitsea dealbata, also known as white bolly gum, hairy-leaved bolly gum, or simply bolly gum, is a shrub or small tree in the laurel family Lauraceae which is native to New South Wales and Queensland in Australia.

<i>Normanbya</i> Monotypic genus of palm endemic to Queensland

Normanbya is a monotypic genus of palms containing the single species Normanbya normanbyi, which is known by the common name black palm It is endemic to Queensland, Australia and is threatened by habitat destruction.

<i>Dianella caerulea</i> Species of flowering plant

Dianella caerulea, commonly known as the blue flax-lily, blueberry lily, or paroo lily, is a perennial herb of the family Asphodelaceae, subfamily Hemerocallidoideae, found across the eastern states of Australia and Tasmania. It is a hardy plant, growing to a height and width of around 1 meter with grass-like strappy leaves. Blue flowers in spring and summer are followed by indigo-coloured berries. It adapts readily to cultivation and is commonly seen in Australian gardens and amenities plantings.

<i>Elaeocarpus grandis</i> Species of plant in the family Elaeocarpaceae

Elaeocarpus grandis, commonly known as the blue quandong, silver quandong or blue fig, is a species of flowering plant in the family Elaeocarpaceae which was first described in 1860. It is a large buttressed tree native to the coastal rainforests of northeastern Australia. The validity of this taxon is disputed, with some authorities accepting it and others presenting it as Elaeocarpus angustifolius.

<i>Semecarpus australiensis</i> Species of tree in the family Anacardiaceae

Semecarpus australiensis, commonly known as the tar tree, native cashew, marking nut, or cedar plum, is a species of tree in the cashew, sumac and mango family Anacardiaceae, native to parts of Melanesia and northern Australia. Contact with the plant can cause serious allergic reactions, a common characteristic of this family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calamus australis</span> Species of palm plant

Calamus australis, commonly known as wait-a-while, hairy mary or lawyer cane, is a plant in the palm family Arecaceae which is endemic to the rainforests of north east Queensland, Australia. Like other species in the genus Calamus, this is a climbing plant with a very long and flexible stem. It uses sharp strong hooks on the fronds and tendrils to attach itself to other vegetation, such as taller established trees, thus gaining support that enables it to grow higher towards the canopy. This species is very similar to C. radicalis, with which it coexists, but is smaller in almost all respects.

<i>Xanthostemon chrysanthus</i> Species of plant in the family Myrtaceae

Xanthostemon chrysanthus, commonly known as golden penda, is a species of tree in the myrtle family Myrtaceae which is endemic to north eastern Queensland, Australia. It is a popular garden plant with showy yellow blooms, and is the floral emblem of the city of Cairns.

<i>Atractocarpus fitzalanii</i> Species of plant in the family Rubiaceae

Atractocarpus fitzalanii, commonly known as the brown gardenia or yellow mangosteen, is a species of plant in the coffee and madder family Rubiaceae. It is found in coastal parts of tropical Queensland, Australia. The beautifully scented flowers and glossy foliage has seen this plant enter cultivation in gardens of eastern Australia.

<i>Gmelina fasciculiflora</i> Species of tree

Gmelina fasciculiflora, known as the northern white beech is a species of trees endemic to the Queensland tropical rain forests, Australia, of the mint (Lamiaceae) plant family. It is one of four recognised species of the genus Gmelina found in Australia.

<i>Lomatia arborescens</i> Species of shrub or small tree in the family Proteaceae from eastern Australia

Lomatia arborescens, commonly known as smooth lomatia or tree lomatia, is a shrub or small tree that grows at high altitudes, in and near rainforests. It is found north from the Barrington Tops area in eastern Australia.

<i>Carnarvonia araliifolia</i> Species of plant in the family Proteaceae

Carnarvonia araliifolia, commonly known as the red oak, red silky oak, Caledonian oak or elephant's foot, is the sole species in the monotypic genus Carnarvonia, a member of the Proteaceae plant family. It is endemic to the rainforests of northeastern Queensland.

<i>Xanthophyllum octandrum</i> Species of tree in the family Polygalaceae

Xanthophyllum octandrum, commonly known as Macintyre's boxwood, false jitta, yellow boxwood or sovereignwood, is a slow-growing tree in the milkwort family Polygalaceae which has the potential to reach thousands of years of age. It is endemic to coastal northeastern Queensland, Australia.

<i>Alpinia arctiflora</i> Species of plant in the family Zingiberaceae

Alpinia arctiflora, commonly known as the pleated ginger, is a plant in the ginger family Zingiberaceae which is endemic to northeastern Queensland.

<i>Cleistanthus apodus</i> Species of plant in the family Phyllanthaceae

Cleistanthus apodus, commonly known as the weeping Cleistanthus, is a tree in the family Phyllanthaceae native to New Guinea and northeast Queensland. It was first described in 1873 by the English botanist George Bentham in his seven-volume book Flora Australiensis.

<i>Ryparosa kurrangii</i> Species of plant in the family Achariaceae

Ryparosa kurrangii is a rare plant in the family Achariaceae which is endemic to a very small part of the Queensland tropical rain forests. It is a small tree growing under the rainforest canopy, producing its flowers and fruit on the lower part of the trunk. It was previously considered to be a form of the Ryparosa javanica complex of species.

References

  1. 1 2 "Species profile—Alpinia caerulea". Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Queensland Government. 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  2. "Alpinia caerulea". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Australian Government . Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Alpinia caerulea (R.Br.) Benth". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Alpinia caerulea". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government . Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Smith, R.M. (2020). "Alpinia caerulea". Flora of Australia . Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "PlantNET - FloraOnline". PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Cooper, Wendy; Cooper, William T. (June 2004). Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia: Nokomis Editions. p. 562. ISBN   9780958174213.
  8. "Hellenia caerulea". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Australian Government . Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  9. Mueller, F. von; Bentham, G. (1873). Flora australiensis: a description of the plants of the Australian territory. London: L. Reeve & Co. p. 265. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 Roberts, John; Fisher, Colin (CJ); Gibson, Roy (1995). A Guide to Traditional Aboriginal Rainforest Plant Use, by the Kuku Yalanji of the Mossman Gorge. Mossman, Queensland: Bamanga Bubu Ngadimumku Inc. p. 24. ISBN   0-646-22991-5.
  11. 1 2 Beasley, John (2009). Plants of Cape York - the compact guide. John Beasley. p. 147. ISBN   978-0-9806863-0-2.
  12. Howes, Jeff. "Alpinia caerulea". Australian Plants Society NSW. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  13. 1 2 Low, Tim (1998). Wild Food Plants of Australia. Sydney: Angus & Robertson Publishers. p. 64. ISBN   0-207-16930-6.
  14. "Red Back Australian Ginger". Tucker Bush. Retrieved 10 May 2023.