Chinese Ginger (Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf. 1958), with its orchid-like flowers, also called finger root or in Thailand Krachai, is a rhizomatous plant, from the ginger family (Zingiberaceae).

Chinese ginger rhizomes are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and as a spice in the cuisines of South-East Asia, especially Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia. Like many other ginger plants ( Zingiberaceae) Boesenbergia rotunda is dormant during the cold season and the aerial appearance disappears completely. The tropical plant comes back to life with the beginning of the tropical hot season in May. Chinese Ginger (Boesenbergia rotunda) plants reach a height up to about 60 cm. The short-living, orchid-like flowers get a size of about 2 cm. The other botanical names Boesenbergia pandurata and Kaempferia pandurata are just accepted as synonyms. More about the culinary use: Chinese Ginger, Krachai (Boesenbergia rotunda).

Flower Photography © Orchids Flowers.com
Image: Chinese Ginger Flower (Boesenbergia rotunda)

Flower Photography © Orchids Flowers.com
Image: Chinese Ginger Flower (side view)