Zingiberaceae · Alpinia

Kulanjan / Lesser Galangal

Alpinia calcarata

Also known as Snap Ginger

Undershrub
Habit
Undershrub
Found in India
West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala & more
Flowering
Throughout the year

Plant Details

Scientific name
Alpinia calcarata
Genus
Alpinia
Habitat
Cultivated
Habitat type
Cultivated
Distribution
India, Sri Lanka, Malay Peninsula, China; Widely cultivated
Found in India
West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh
Flowering & fruiting
Throughout the year
Conservation status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Leaf characters

Arrangement
Alternate
Simple type leaf character
Type
Simple
Entire margin leaf character
Margin
Entire
Parallel venation leaf character
Venation
Parallel

Typical of the Zingiberaceae family — a field-mark hint, not measured for this exact species.

Flower & fruit characters

Flower symmetry
Bilateral
Inflorescence
Spike
Fruit
Capsule

Typical of the Zingiberaceae family — flowering plants only; individual species can differ.

Local Names

Hindi
कुलंजन Kulanjan
Kannada
Chikkadumparaasme
Malayalam
Aratta, ചിറ്റരത്ത, Alpinia calcarata

About Kulanjan

Lesser galangal (Alpinia calcarata) is an undershrub belonging to the Zingiberaceae family (Ginger family). Members of this family are generally characterised by distichous simple leaves, spike/raceme/thyrse flower clusters, capsule/berry fruit. It is typically found in cultivated. It occurs across India, Sri Lanka, Malay Peninsula, China; Widely cultivated. It flowers and fruits through much of the year.

Illustration representing the Zingiberaceae family
Botanical family

Zingiberaceae

Ginger family

Kulanjan belongs to the Zingiberaceae family.

The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.

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Common plant problems

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