 P. Goltra
|
 |
|
|
|
Taxonomy: |
 |
Zingiber zerumbet (Zingiberaceae)
Common Names:
Hawaiian Names:
'Awapuhi Kuahiwi
Opuhi
English Names:
Shampoo Ginger
Bitter Ginger
Pinecone Ginger
Pinecone Lily
Classification:
Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Sm.
Kingdom: Plantae-Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta-Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta-Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta-Flowering plants
Class: Liliopsida-Monocotyledons
Subclass: Zingiberidae
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Zingiberaceae - Ginger Family
Genus: Zingiber P. Mill. - Ginger
Species: Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Sm. - Bitter Ginger
(National Plant Database. 2004.)
(Wagner,W.L., D.R. Herbst, and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii.)
|
|
|
Description: |
|
Zingiber zerumbet is a vigorous ginger with leafy stems growing to about 1.2 m tall. 'Awapuhi kuahiwi is a perennial, so from autumn until spring it goes dormant above ground as the leafy stems shrivel and die away, leaving the pale brown, creeping stems (rhizomes) at ground level.
In the spring the plant springs up anew. The 10-12 blade-shaped leaves 15-20 cm long grow in an alternate arrangement on thin, upright stem to 1.2 m tall. Among the leafy stems the conical or club-shaped flower heads burst forth on separate and shorter stalks. These appear in the summer, after the leafy stems have been growing for awile. The flower heads are reddish-green 3-10 cm long with overlapping scales, enclosing small yellowish-white flowers that poke out a few at a time. As the flower heads mature, they gradually fill with an aromatic, slimy liquid and turn a brighter red color. The flower stalks usually remain hidden beneath the leaf stalks.
(Wagner,W.L., D.R. Herbst, and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii.)
|
|
|
Geographic Distribution: |
|
This plant originated in India, was distributed eastward through Polynesia and introduced to Hawaiian Islands in the canoes of early Polynesian settlers.
(Krauss, B. H. 1993. Plants in Hawaiian Culture.)
(Kepler, A. K. 1984. Hawaiian Heritage Plants.)
|
|
|
Food Uses: |
|
The juice can be used to quench thirst when out walking in the forest and can be combined with Mountain Apples as a meal.
(Krauss, B. H. 1993. Plants in Hawaiian Culture.)
(Kepler, A. K. 1984. Hawaiian Heritage Plants.)
|
|
|
Medicinal Uses:** |
|
In Hawai'i the spicy-smelling fresh rhizomes were pounded and used as medicine for indigestion and other ailments.
The rhizomes can be stored in a cool, dark place to keep for use when needed. In traditional use, the rhizome was ground in a stone mortar with a stone pestle, was mixed with a ripe Noni fruit and then used to treat severe sprains. The pulp was placed in a cloth and loosely bound around the injured area.
For a toothache or a cavity, the cooked and softened 'Awapuhi rhizome was pressed into the hollow and left for as long as was needed.
To ease a stomachache, the ground and strained rhizome material is mixed with water and drunk. Similarly, 'Awapuhi Pake or Ginger root (Zingiber officinale) is widely cultivated and eaten, or made into a tea for indigestion as well as increased circulation of the blood and an increased sense of well-being.
(Ka'ai'akamanu, D.K. and Akina, J.K. 1973. Hawaiian Herbs of Medicinal Value.)
** The information provided above is not intended to be used as a guide for treatment of medical conditions using plants.
|
|
|
Native Legends and Names: |
|
The 'Awapuhi is said to be one of the Kinolau, multiple forms, of the Hawaii deity Kane.
(Krauss, B. H. 1993. Plants in Hawaiian Culture.)
(Kepler, A. K. 1984. Hawaiian Heritage Plants.)
|
|
|
Indigenous Practices: |
|
The leaves and leaf stalks, which are also fragrant, were used in baking in the imu, underground oven, to enhance the flavor of pork and fish as they cooked.
Traditionally, the aromatic underground rhizomes were sliced, dried and pounded to a powder, then added to the folds of stored Kapa (Tapa) cloth.
Perhaps the most common use of 'Awapuhi Kuahiwi is as a shampoo and conditioner for the hair. The clear slimy juice present in the mature flower heads is excellent for softening and bringing shiness to the hair. It can be left in the hair or rinsed out. Hawaiian women often pick or cut the flowerheads of this plant in the forest, as they approach a pool or waterfall for a refreshing summer bath, leave the flowers atop a nearby rock, and then squeeze the sweet juices into their hair and over their bodies when the swim is completed. The sudsy juice is excellent for massage also.
(Krauss, B. H. 1993. Plants in Hawaiian Culture.)
(Kepler, A. K. 1984. Hawaiian Heritage Plants.)
(Information for this species compiled and recorded by Camelia Cirnaru, NTBG Consultant.)
|
|
NEWS
