Hedychium coccineum
Hedychium coccineum, commonly known as the Red Ginger, is a striking perennial herb native to the Himalayan foothills. Renowned for its vibrant, fragrant blossoms, this plant holds significant medicinal value in traditional practices, utilized primarily for its potent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and digestive properties to treat various ailments.
- Scientific name: Hedychium coccineum
- Family: Zingiberaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Hedychium coccineum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Zingiberales. Finally, it is a member of the family Zingiberaceae and is categorized under the genus Hedychium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Zingiberales | WCVP |
| Family | Zingiberaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Hedychium | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across the Indian Ocean and parts of Asia. Within the Western Indian Ocean region, it can be found growing in Mauritius and Réunion. Its presence extends into China, where it inhabits the South-Central and Southeast territories. Additionally, the species is documented in the high-altitude region of Tibet. Consequently, the range of Hedychium coccineum covers both tropical islands and varied mainland climates.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |