What is "alpinia officinarum"

Galanga \Ga*lan"ga\, Galangal \Ga*lan"gal\, n.[OE. galingale, OF. galingal, garingal, F. galanga (cf. Sp. galanga), prob. fr. Ar. khalanj[=a]n. ] The pungent aromatic rhizome or tuber of certain East Indian or Chinese species of Alpinia ( Alpinia Galanga and Alpinia officinarum) and of the K[ae]mpferia Galanga), -- all of the Ginger family.

China \Chi"na\, n.

1. A country in Eastern Asia.

2. China ware, which is the modern popular term for porcelain. See Porcelain. China aster (Bot.), a well-known garden flower and plant. See Aster. China bean. See under Bean, 1. China clay See Kaolin. China grass, Same as Ramie. China ink. See India ink. China pink (Bot.), an anual or biennial species of Dianthus ( Dianthus Chiensis) having variously colored single or double flowers; Indian pink. China root (Med.), the rootstock of a species of Smilax ( Smilax China, from the East Indies; -- formerly much esteemed for the purposes that sarsaparilla is now used for. Also the galanga root (from Alpinia Gallanga and Alpinia officinarum). China rose. (Bot.)

   1. A popular name for several free-blooming varieties of rose derived from the Rosa Indica, and perhaps other species.

   2. A flowering hothouse plant ( Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis) of the Mallow family, common in the gardens of China and the east Indies.

      China shop, a shop or store for the sale of China ware or of crockery.

      Pride of China, China tree. (Bot.) See Azedarach.

Alpinia officinarum, known as lesser galangal, is a plant in the ginger family, cultivated in Southeast Asia. It originated in China, where its name ultimately derives. It can grow several feet high, with long leaves and reddish-white flowers. The rhizomes, known as galangal, are valued for their sweet spicy flavor and aromatic scent. These are used throughout Asia in curries and perfumes, and were previously used widely in Europe. They are also used as an herbal remedy.

Lesser galangal is often misled the name for Kaempferia galanga, which has a peppery camphorous taste and is used in Indonesia, Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries.