jenjibre-de-jardin

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• jenjibre-de-jardin

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Renealmia macrantha
• Renealmia pacoseroca
• Renealmia bracteosa
• Renealmia exaltata var. gracilis
• Renealmia raja
• Amomum repens
• Alpinia bicalyculata
• Alpinia macrantha
• Alpinia pacoseroca
• Alpinia tubulata
• Amomum alpinia
• Alpinia exaltata
• Renealmia rubroflava
• Ethanium macranthum
• Ethanium bracteosum
• Ethanium pacoseroca
• Ethanium exaltatum
• Renealmia occidentalis var. pacoderoca
• Renealmia coelobractea
• Renealmia foliosa
• Renealmia goyazensis
• Renealmia lativagina
• Catimbium exaltatum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is positioned in the order Zingiberales and the family Zingiberaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by its membership in the genus Renealmia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across the North and Central American landscapes. Within Mexico, its presence is noted in the central regions and along the Gulf coast. It also thrives throughout the southwestern territories of the country. Furthermore, the species can be found extending into the southeast portions of Mexico. Finally, its geographical reach continues southward into Belize in Central America.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Renanmia alpinia is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 2500 m AMSL, with an average elevational range of approximately 270 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant ecological plasticity, inhabiting a diverse array of distinct environmental settings. Its preferred habitats include Campinarana and Campo Rupestre formations, as well as various forest types such as Floresta Ciliar or Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea, and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). This wide variety of niches suggests the plant is capable of adapting to both seasonally flooded areas and stable, high-moisture rainforest ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

270 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campinarana, Campo Rupestre, Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Renealmia alpinia is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it completes its reproductive cycle over multiple years rather than dying off after a single season. As a geophyte, the plant survives through unfavorable periods by retreating to underground storage organs, which allow it to persist and re-emerge when environmental conditions become favorable for growth.

Life form :

geophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Renanmialpinia alpina is characterized by a growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb, reaching an average plant height of approximately 3 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic lifestyles, growing independently as a non-parasitic organism. Structurally, the plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine, maintaining an upright stature without the need for external support.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Renanmia alpinia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions, a common trait among many shade-tolerant or temperate understory species. In terms of its nutrient acquisition processes, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system rather than establishing symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Renanmiae alpinia is characterized by a complex reproductive strategy driven primarily by biotic mechanisms. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms rather than abiotic factors like wind or water to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Specifically, the reproductive success of this species is heavily dependent on avian interactions, as it exhibits a pollination syndrome tailored toward birds. This specialized relationship indicates that the plant's floral morphology and physiological traits are evolved to attract and utilize birds as its primary pollinators, ensuring successful fertilization and subsequent seed development.

Pollination syndrome :

bird

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Renealmia alpinia 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 leaf, rhizome.

Leaf

1. Biomedica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Rhizome

1. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas

Chemicals

Renealmia alpinia has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Desmethoxyyangonin, Pinostrobin, Pinostrobin chalcone, Sakuranetin, Yashabushidiol A.

Desmethoxyyangonin

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Pinostrobin

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Pinostrobin chalcone

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Sakuranetin

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Yashabushidiol A

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Activities

Renealmia alpinia has 6 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Anticonvulsant, Antiemetic, Antinociceptive, Antiulcer.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Biomedica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud
3. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Anticonvulsant

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antiemetic

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiulcer

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Febrifuge

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Medicinal Uses

Renealmia alpinia has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic, anticonvulsant, antiemetic, leishmaniasis, pain management.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations