Etlingera elatior
Dublin Core
Title
Etlingera elatior
Subject
Taxanomy
Phylum : Tracheophyta
Class : Liliopsida
Order : Zingiberales
Family : Zingiberacea
Genus : Etlingera
Species: Etlingera elatior
Common Name
Torch Ginger, Philippine Waxflower, Painted Net Leaf, Nerve Plant, Bunga Kantan
Phylum : Tracheophyta
Class : Liliopsida
Order : Zingiberales
Family : Zingiberacea
Genus : Etlingera
Species: Etlingera elatior
Common Name
Torch Ginger, Philippine Waxflower, Painted Net Leaf, Nerve Plant, Bunga Kantan
Description
Characteristics
This plant is a perennial herb that has a tendency to grow in large colonies.
Morphology
Stem
Pseudostems, measuring 3 to 6 m tall.
Leaves
Smooth, green lanceolate leaves measuring about 70 cm in length and 10 cm in width grow in a bunch at the base, forming a pseudostem.
Flower
The flower has a very long stalk measuring 1.0-1.5m and rose well above the ground. The inflorescence is ovoid-shaped and located at the terminal end, consisting of spirally overlapping flowers with showy crimson-pink bracts surrounding the base.
Plant part used
Leaves, flower, fruit
Traditional uses
List of Country
The plant is believed to be native to Malaysia, Indonesia and Southern Thailand countries and subsequently introduced to the Philippines.
Red List Category
Not Evaluated (NE)
This plant is a perennial herb that has a tendency to grow in large colonies.
Morphology
Stem
Pseudostems, measuring 3 to 6 m tall.
Leaves
Smooth, green lanceolate leaves measuring about 70 cm in length and 10 cm in width grow in a bunch at the base, forming a pseudostem.
Flower
The flower has a very long stalk measuring 1.0-1.5m and rose well above the ground. The inflorescence is ovoid-shaped and located at the terminal end, consisting of spirally overlapping flowers with showy crimson-pink bracts surrounding the base.
Plant part used
Leaves, flower, fruit
Traditional uses
- The plant's stems are utilized in herbal bath preparations for eliminating body odour.
- he Bajau ethnic group also utilizes bunga kantan to eliminate body odour
- The fruit decoction is believed to be effective in treating earaches, while the leaves decoction is used to cleanse wounds.
List of Country
The plant is believed to be native to Malaysia, Indonesia and Southern Thailand countries and subsequently introduced to the Philippines.
Red List Category
Not Evaluated (NE)
Source
- https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/1/9/1990
- https://globinmed.com/tk/enthobotany-medicine-copy/
- https://globinmed.com/conservation/kantan/
Contributor
Muhammad Nazri Azam Bin Jafree
Collection
Citation
“Etlingera elatior,” BIDARA, accessed May 6, 2025, https://bidara.uthm.edu.my/items/show/982.