Crape Ginger or Thebu is a evergreen perennial plant that Native to Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia. Also naturalized in other Asian countries as a herb or as a weed. In Sri Lanka, widely use in Ayurveda as a medicament and it is also a most popular leaf vegetable. It is commonly found on borders of the paddy fields or water stream and sometime in forest borders or and Wasteland with shady places. Wet zone in Sri Lanka, rarely cultivate in home gardens because sometime grow as a Invasive weed.
The plant closely related to the Costus dubius or Spiral ginger, known as "Sudu Thebu in Sinhalese. Both these two species are use in Ayurveda and users are frequently confuse with these two plants
See also different of White Crepe Ginger for identify these plants correctly.
The plant closely related to the Costus dubius or Spiral ginger, known as "Sudu Thebu in Sinhalese. Both these two species are use in Ayurveda and users are frequently confuse with these two plants
See also different of White Crepe Ginger for identify these plants correctly.
Crepe Ginger or Thebu Flowers
| Common Classification | |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Crape Ginger, Malay Ginger, Crepe Paper Ginger, Red Crepe Ginger |
| Scientific Name | Cheilocostus speciosus |
| Sinhalese Name | Thebu, Rathu Thebu (Red Thebu) |
| Scientific Classification | |
| Family | Costaceae |
| Genus | Cheilocostus |
| Species | C.speciosus |
| Synonym | Costus crispiflorus, Costus glaber, Amomum hirsutum |
| Ecology | |
| Category | Herb |
| Growth Habit | Shrub |
| Duration | Perennial |
| Status - Native | Indigenous |
| Status (Controlling) | Invasive,Natural |
| Propriety | |
| Culinary / Edible | Yes |
| Use as Herb | Yes |
| Other Use | n/a |
| Poisoned / Toxin | No |
| Identification | |
 Flowers of Costus Crepe Ginger | |
 Beautiful Red Bracts after the flowers downfall | |
