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Glite Dictionary
Alpinia

Alpinia

9.9
A group of plants in the ginger family with scented underground roots and bright flowers
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : alpinia
  • Gardeners often grow Alpinia for its striking foliage and bright flower spikes.

Examples

  • The roots of Alpinia species are used in traditional Asian medicine.

  • Some Alpinia varieties are popular as ornamental plants in tropical gardens.

  • The Alpinia plant is often used in herbal medicine.

  • Many gardeners love to grow Alpinia for its beautiful flowers.

  • Gardeners often grow Alpinia for its striking foliage and bright flower spikes.

  • Some Alpinia varieties are popular as ornamental plants in tropical gardens.

  • Many gardeners love to grow Alpinia for its beautiful flowers.

Compounds

Alpinia galanga
  • Specialized
8.9

A plant from Southeast Asia whose strong smelling roots people use in cooking and medicine

Alpinia officinarum
  • Specialized
9.9

A ginger plant with strong-smelling roots used as a spice and in medicine

Alpinia officinalis
  • Specialized
9.9

A perennial plant from China with white flower clusters and spicy smelling roots used in medicine and cooking

Alpinia purpurata
  • Specialized
8.9

A tropical plant in the ginger family with bright red flowers used for decoration

Alpinia zerumbet
  • Specialized
9.9

A tropical plant with shiny long leaves and fragrant white and pink flowers

Surface Forms

Alpinia singular
Alpinias plural

Etymology

The word Alpinia is named after the Italian plant doctor Prospero Alpini, whose name is also written Alpino. Think of it like naming a group of ginger-family plants after the person who studied them, and that is why Alpinia today means these aromatic, ornamental plants.