Alpinia nigra or Black Galangal is a medium-sized herbaceous plant of the ginger family native to India; Thailand; China; Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. The rhizome is widely used throughout Asia as a vegetable and for its medicinal properties.
Research has found that Alpinia nigra possesses strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Black Galangal can also be grown as an ornamental for its pretty flowers.
Other common names include Galangal; Bamboo-Leaved Galangal; Greater Galangal and Kala while. Alpinia nigra is also the same plant as the botanical name Zingiber nigrum.
Growth
Alpinia nigra is a biennial that grows to approximately 2 metres (6 feet) and adapts to a range of soils and temperatures. They succeed along riverbanks in sunny or shaded positions and in boggy soils. Native climates range from the tropics of Thailand to the cold regions such as east of the Himalayas.
Black Galangal produces rhizomes that have protected showy bracts. Leaves look like pikes that can reach up to 40cm in length. Flowering occurs from Spring to late Summer which is followed by a fruiting period. The fruit is a berry having many seeds and the pericarp is thin and green when young, becoming black and brittle when it gets old.
Sow seeds two weeks after the last frost as young seedlings can die from temperatures under 10°C / 50°F. Like many other Alpinia’s, Black Galangals are pollinated by bees; birds; and bats.
Alpinia nigra can be grown in pots, full sun or part shade and will also tolerate wet soils.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Zingiberaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Sub Tropical, Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
10 to 35°C / 50 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Moist, well-draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun to Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 1.5 metres (5 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 1.5 metres (5 feet)
pH:
7.0-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium-High
POLLINATION:
Bees, Birds and Bats.
MATURITY:
2-3 years
GERMINATION RATES:
75-85%
GERMINATION TIME:
6 weeks, dependent on conditions.
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy-Medium
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 24
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
Not in Australia
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 1 year.
FACTS ABOUT ALPINIA NIGRA (Black Galangal)
Elephants in India regularly eat the leaves of Black Galangal.
Galangal leaves are used to serve food because they have an aromatic smell.
Some tribal communities combine the root with rice whiskey and apply it to the skin to treat fungal infections such as melasma and ringworm.
