WILD GINGERS OF ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS

Abstract

The tropical rain forests of Andaman and Islands harbouring 4 species of medicinal and aromatic
wild gingers namely Zingiber odoriferum Bl., Z spectabi/e Grioff., Z squarrosum Roxb. and Z zerumbet
Rose. ex. Sm., which are generally found growing in shady humid places. Most of these wild
gingers are possessing an eye-catching, colourful bracts in ovoid, conical or cylindrical spikes and
are exhilarating the horticulturists to grow them as ornamental and decorative herbs in the gardens.
These herbs are also being used for therapeutical purposes like that of the common, well-known
ginger Zingiber officinale Rose., a medicinal and a flavouring agent