Alpinia conchigera

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Strobidia conchigera
• Strobidia sumatrana
• Strobidia oligosperma
• Alpinia sumatrana
• Languas conchigera
• Languas sumatrana

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Zingiberales, it is classified under the family Zingiberaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Alpinia, with its species designation being Alpinia conchigera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several key regions in Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be specifically found in Bangladesh. Its distribution also extends significantly into the Indo-China region, covering the Andaman Islands. Furthermore, the species is documented throughout Cambodia and Myanmar. Finally, its range reaches into Thailand, completing its diverse Southeast Asian footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Alpinia conchigera is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it survives through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. Its survival strategy is defined by its specific life forms, as it functions as a geophyte, storing essential nutrients and moisture in underground organs to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. Furthermore, it is categorized as a cryptophyte, indicating that its vital regenerative buds are protected beneath the soil surface or at the ground level, ensuring its continued existence and ability to emerge during favorable seasonal shifts.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alpinia conchigera is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. The plant typically grows as a self-supporting organism, functioning independently without parasitic or climbing requirements. It is a terrestrial species, meaning it grows directly in the soil rather than as an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a mean height of approximately 1.5 m, with a maximum recorded height of 1.2 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height mean:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alpinia concchigera is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies typical of the Zingiberaceae family. As a perennial herb, its physiological functions are centered on the efficient management of rhizomatous storage organs, which serve as primary sites for starch accumulation and energy reserves to support seasonal regrowth. The plant engages in complex photosynthetic pathways to convert solar energy into chemical energy, driving its vegetative growth and the synthesis of bioactive secondary metabolites. In terms of nutrient cycling and soil interaction, the plant does not possess the specialized symbiotic mechanisms required for atmospheric nitrogen assimilation; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system rather than converting atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms. This reliance on soil-available nitrogen dictates its physiological dependency on the organic matter decomposition and microbial activity within its specific forest habitat.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Alpinia conchigera has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, seed.

Rhizome

1. Journal of medicinal food
2. PloS one

Seed

1. Journal of medicinal food

Chemicals

Alpinia conchigera has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1'-S-1'-acetoxychavicol acetate, 1'-Acetoxychavicol acetate, 1'S-1'-Acetoxychavicol acetate, CALCIUM, COPPER.

1'-S-1'-acetoxychavicol acetate

1. Oncotarget
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

1'-Acetoxychavicol acetate

1. Journal of medicinal food

1'S-1'-Acetoxychavicol acetate

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

CALCIUM

1. Tropical biomedicine

COPPER

1. Tropical biomedicine

Galanganal

1. Fitoterapia

Galanganol A

1. Fitoterapia

Galanganol B

1. Fitoterapia

IRON

1. Tropical biomedicine

MAGNESIUM

1. Tropical biomedicine

Activities

Alpinia conchigera has 8 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Apoptotic, Cytotoxic, Anticancer, Antidementia, Antidiabetic.

Apoptotic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Anticancer

1. Journal of medicinal food

Antidementia

1. Journal of medicinal food

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of medicinal food

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of medicinal food

Antiobesity

1. Journal of medicinal food

Gastroprotective

1. Journal of medicinal food

Medicinal Uses

Alpinia conchigera has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, hyperlipidemia, neurodegenerative disorders, non-small cell lung cancer, obesity.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations