Shell Ginger (Alpinia zerumbet)
Shell Ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) is so-called because the unopened flowers are said to resemble pink seashells in Japan, and indeed this species is native to southern Japan, Taiwan, and southern China to the north of the Malaysia peninsula.
The leaves are used in Okinawa to make a herbal tea and to flavour noodles and statistically Okinawans who eat the traditional diet that includes these leaves which contain resveratrol, also found in the skins of grapes, blueberries, and raspberries, do in fact live longer! At Sittee River Wildlife Reserve, Stann Creek District.
Photograph by David Hilmy
Click here to comment on this picture.