Tropical Plant Database - Plant Details

Zingiber zerumbet is a vigorous ginger with leafy stems growing to about 1.2 m tall. 'Awapuhi kuahiwi is a perennial, so from autumn until spring it goes dormant above ground as the leafy stems shrivel and die away, leaving the pale brown, creeping stems (rhizomes) at ground level. In the spring the plant springs up anew. The 10-12 blade-shaped leaves 15-20 cm long grow in an alternate arrangement on thin, upright stem to 1.2 m tall. Among the leafy stems the conical or club-shaped flower heads burst forth on separate and shorter stalks. These appear in the summer, after the leafy stems have been growing for awile. The flower heads are reddish-green 3-10 cm long with overlapping scales, enclosing small yellowish-white flowers that poke out a few at a time. As the flower heads mature, they gradually fill with an aromatic, slimy liquid and turn a brighter red color. The flower stalks usually remain hidden beneath the leaf stalks.
(Wagner,W.L., D.R. Herbst, and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii.)

In Hawai'i the spicy-smelling fresh rhizomes were pounded and used as medicine for indigestion and other ailments. The rhizomes can be stored in a cool, dark place to keep for use when needed. In traditional use, the rhizome was ground in a stone mortar with a stone pestle, was mixed with a ripe Noni fruit and then used to treat severe sprains. The pulp was placed in a cloth and loosely bound around the injured area.
For a toothache or a cavity, the cooked and softened 'Awapuhi rhizome was pressed into the hollow and left for as long as was needed.
To ease a stomachache, the ground and strained rhizome material is mixed with water and drunk. Similarly, 'Awapuhi Pake or Ginger root (Zingiber officinale) is widely cultivated and eaten, or made into a tea for indigestion as well as increased circulation of the blood and an increased sense of well-being.
(Ka'ai'akamanu, D.K. and Akina, J.K. 1973. Hawaiian Herbs of Medicinal Value.)

The leaves and leaf stalks, which are also fragrant, were used in baking in the imu, underground oven, to enhance the flavor of pork and fish as they cooked. Traditionally, the aromatic underground rhizomes were sliced, dried and pounded to a powder, then added to the folds of stored Kapa (Tapa) cloth.
Perhaps the most common use of 'Awapuhi Kuahiwi is as a shampoo and conditioner for the hair. The clear slimy juice present in the mature flower heads is excellent for softening and bringing shiness to the hair. It can be left in the hair or rinsed out. Hawaiian women often pick or cut the flowerheads of this plant in the forest, as they approach a pool or waterfall for a refreshing summer bath, leave the flowers atop a nearby rock, and then squeeze the sweet juices into their hair and over their bodies when the swim is completed. The sudsy juice is excellent for massage also.
(Krauss, B. H. 1993. Plants in Hawaiian Culture.)
(Kepler, A. K. 1984. Hawaiian Heritage Plants.)

(Information for this species compiled and recorded by Camelia Cirnaru, NTBG Consultant.)

This plant originated in India, was distributed eastward through Polynesia and introduced to Hawaiian Islands in the canoes of early Polynesian settlers.
(Krauss, B. H. 1993. Plants in Hawaiian Culture.)
(Kepler, A. K. 1984. Hawaiian Heritage Plants.)

The juice can be used to quench thirst when out walking in the forest and can be combined with Mountain Apples as a meal.
(Krauss, B. H. 1993. Plants in Hawaiian Culture.)
(Kepler, A. K. 1984. Hawaiian Heritage Plants.)

The 'Awapuhi is said to be one of the Kinolau, multiple forms, of the Hawaii deity Kane.
(Krauss, B. H. 1993. Plants in Hawaiian Culture.)
(Kepler, A. K. 1984. Hawaiian Heritage Plants.)

We currently have 45 herbarium specimens for Zingiber zerumbet in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.

• 083642 - collected by Art Whistler in 1972
• 083639 - collected by Art Whistler in 1973
• 083640 - collected by Art Whistler in 1974
• 083637 - collected by Art Whistler in 1974
• 083638 - collected by Art Whistler in 1974
• 083641 - collected by Art Whistler in 1981
• 017847 - collected by T. G. Lammers in 1983
• 017845 - collected by Tim Flynn in 1986
• 017844 - collected by Tim Flynn in 1986
• 017846 - collected by David H. Lorence in 1987
• 006900 - collected by David H. Lorence in 1987
• 006319 - collected by David H. Lorence in 1988
• 083647 - collected by Art Whistler in 1990
• 052325 - collected by Art Whistler in 1992
• 083643 - collected by Art Whistler in 1993
• 021087 - collected by David H. Lorence in 1996
• 083645 - collected by Art Whistler in 1997
• 028691 - collected by David H. Lorence in 1997
• 034683 - collected by Michael J. Balick in 1997
• 024604 - collected by Tim Flynn in 1997
• 037724 - collected by Michael J. Balick in 1997
• 035220 - collected by Michael J. Balick in 1999
• 042755 - collected by Michael J. Balick in 2000
• 043652 - collected by R. Gallen in 2001
• 083644 - collected by Art Whistler in 2001
• 035120 - collected by David H. Lorence in 2001
• 037082 - collected by Diane Ragone in 2001
• 036864 - collected by Hank Oppenheimer in 2001
• 040809 - collected by Tim Flynn in 2002
• 040513 - collected by Stephanie Dunbar in 2002
• 048914 - collected by A. Dores in 2002
• 039471 - collected by David H. Lorence in 2003
• 046150 - collected by A. Dores in 2003
• 042528 - collected by Hank Oppenheimer in 2004
• 043582 - collected by Francisca Sohl in 2004
• 054617 - collected by P. Emos Eperiam in 2006
• 054514 - collected by P. Emos Eperiam in 2006
• 061169 - collected by Madelaine Bartlett in 2008
• 061171 - collected by Madelaine Bartlett in 2008
• 061168 - collected by Madelaine Bartlett in 2010
• 061167 - collected by Madelaine Bartlett in 2010
• 061166 - collected by Madelaine Bartlett in 2010
• 061174 - collected by Madelaine Bartlett in 2010
• 061173 - collected by Madelaine Bartlett in 2010
• 034931 - collected by Michael J. Balick in 2022