Hedychium spicatum

Physical Characteristics

Hedychium spicatum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 0.7 m (2ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in flower in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - Himalayas.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Edible Uses: Fruit - cooked[177]. Eaten in savoury dishes with lentils[183].

Medicinal Uses

Carminative Digestive Emmenagogue Expectorant Stimulant Stomachic Tonic Vasodilator The rootstock is carminative, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and tonic[240, 243]. It is useful in the treatment of liver complaints, and is also used in treating fevers, vomiting, diarrhoea, inflammation, pains and snake bite[240, 243, 272]. The root is used in Tibetan medicine, it is said to have an acrid taste and heating potency[241]. It is digestive, stomachic and vasodilator[241]. It is used in the treatment of indigestion and poor circulation due to thickening of the blood[241].

Known Hazards

None known