Hedychium spicatum Sm.
Hedychium spicatum Sm. Shati , Kapoor Kachri Family: Zingiberaceae . Description : Habit: A tall, robust, perennial rhizomatous herb, typically growing up to 1.5 m tall. Roots / Rhizome: The rootstock is a fleshy, tuberous rhizome, with a strong aromatic odor and a bitter, camphoraceous taste. It is white and starchy inside. The rhizome is the most commonly used part. Leaves: Broadly lanceolate, up to 30 cm long. Flowers: Fragrant, white with an orange-red base, borne in a dense, terminal spike 15–25 cm long. Flowering generally occurs from August to October. Distribution (World & India) : Global: Found throughout the entire Himalayan region. Distributed in Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. India: Found in the Western and Central Himalayas, and states like Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Altitude range: Occurs in subtropical and sub-temperate r...