The original fruit samples of this one were from Mr. Edmund Sana of the Dept. of Agriculture; we fondly called him “Sir” or “Kuya Ed”; a very generous guy who finds enjoyment in giving out planting materials to fellow members at the Rarefruit Society of the Philippines.
Materials identified by : Ulysses Ferreras (Field Botanist)
Habitat : Along creeks
Local names : Tagbak, Tugbak
Botanical name : Alpinia elegans
Family : Zingiberaceae
Height : 2-3 meters
Fruiting season : Matured fruits observed in March
Traits : Herbaceous; Low to medium altitude species; Rhizomous; Thicket-forming; Tolerant of frequent inundation
Recommendations : Fruit collector’s; Ornamental plant; Public gardens; Wildcrafting
Used for : Fruit rind edible but a little woody in texture; Rhizomes, leaves and juice of the stem are used in traditional medicine
Native range : The Philippines
National conservation status : Not threatened
Possible threats : Clearing of woodlands for agricultural, commercial or residential use; Water pollutants and runoffs
(Note : Synonymous to Kolowratia elegans)
Further reading :
Alpinia elegans http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/herbarium/digitallib/collections/hlaplants/pdfs/Zin_Alpinia_elegans_w.pdf
Bureau of Plant Industry Publications - Kolowratia elegans http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/pdf/t/tagbak.pdf
E-Prosea - Alpinia elegans http://www.proseanet.org/prosea/e-prosea_detail.php?frt=&id=898 (502)