Bengal ginger

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Bengal ginger
• cassumar ginger
• cassumunar ginger

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Zingiber newmanii
• Amomum montanum
• Zingiber nudicarpum
• Zingiber peninsulare

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 organized under the order Zingiberales and the family Zingiberaceae. Finally, it is identified by its scientific genus, Zingiber.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several specific regions in Asia. In China, it can be found spanning from the South-Central provinces to the Southeast coastal areas. Additionally, its presence is documented on the island of Hainan within Chinese territory. Moving into the Indo-China region, the species is also native to the country of Cambodia. Finally, the plant's range extends further into the neighboring nation of Laos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Zingiber montanum is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a geophyte, its survival strategy relies on specialized underground storage organs, such as rhizomes, which allow the plant to endure unfavorable environmental conditions or dormant periods by storing nutrients and water beneath the soil surface. This life form enables the plant to regrow and emerge annually from its subterranean structures once favorable conditions return, ensuring long-term persistence within its natural habitat.

Life form :

geophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Zingiber montanum is characterized by a growth form classified as both a herb and a forb, exhibiting a non-woody structure. It is a terrestrial plant that grows independently, functioning without parasitic or epiphytic dependencies. The plant typically reaches an average height of approximately 1.5 m and is characterized as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber, such as a vine or liana.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Zingiber montanum is characterized by complex metabolic processes centered around its underground rhizomatous system, which serves as the primary site for nutrient storage and secondary metabolite synthesis. As a non-nitrogen-fixing plant, its nitrogen fixation status is categorized as no, meaning it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system rather than through symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria. The plant engages in standard C3 photosynthetic pathways, utilizing its broad, lanceolate leaves to capture solar energy and convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into carbohydrates. These energy reserves are subsequently translocated to the rhizomes, where specialized biosynthetic pathways produce bioactive compounds such as essential oils and phenylpropanoids. The physiological regulation of these metabolites is often influenced by environmental stressors, soil composition, and the plant's internal hormonal signaling, which modulates its growth patterns and defensive chemical profiles.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Zingiber montanum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome.

Rhizome

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Zingiber montanum has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Antioxidant Activity, Curcuminoids, NO, SABINENE, Terpinen-4-ol.

Antioxidant Activity

1. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet

Curcuminoids

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

NO

1. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet

SABINENE

1. Journal of the science of food and agriculture

Terpinen-4-ol

1. Journal of the science of food and agriculture

Zerumbone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

benzaldehyde

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Activities

Zingiber montanum has 4 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Allelopathic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiulcer.

Allelopathic

1. Journal of the science of food and agriculture

Antibacterial

1. Journal of the science of food and agriculture

Antifungal

1. Journal of the science of food and agriculture

Antiulcer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Zingiber montanum has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, cognitive function, diarrhea, executive function, high cholesterol levels.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations