Kaemleria galanga L.

Hinguru piyali
Family Zingiberaceae
Botanical name Kaemleria galanga L.
Common name Hinguru piyal

Botanical description
Habit-, A small herb with a with an aromatic tuberous root stock and fleshy, cylindrical root fibers which are not aromatic;
Leaves-, few, 2 spreading horizontally, lying flat on the surface of the ground 6.2-12.5 cm long 4.3-8.7 cm broad, rotund -ovate, deltoid-acuminate. Thin deep green 10-12 ribbed margins not thickened nor colored petioles short channeled;
Flowers;
Irregular, bisexual white, 6-12 from the centre of the plant between the leaves fugacious, fragrant, opening successively, bracts lancolate, green, short: calyx as long as the outer bracts short, cylindrical, splitting spathaceously; petals 3, gamopetalous corolla tube 2.5 cm long lobes equal, usually spreading lanceolate, pure white, a little shorter than the tube; lip more than 2.5 cm long and nearly as broad, deeply 2 lobed, lobes with a lilac spot at the base; stamen 1 perfect, filament short, arcuate, anther 2 celled, cells discrete on a wide connective which is produced above into a petaloid crest, lip a quadrate, 2 lobed appendage, lateral staminodes 1-1.8 cm long, cuneate -obovate , white: ovary inferior, 3 locular , ovules on three axile placentas, style long, filifom, stigma turbinate;
Fruit;
An oblong capsule with a thin pericarp, seeds subglobose with a lacerate aril.
Flowering;
the plant flowers during June and July. ( Jayaweera 1981)
Distribution; Occurs in India Malaysia, Moluccas and Philippine Islands. It is frequently cultivated in village gardens of Sri Lanka

Agronomic description
Suckers obtained from mature plants can be planted directly in field.. The spacing should be 60 cm x 60cm.Pots or large sized poly bags also can be used for planting. Sandy loam soil is ideal for cultivating Caemferia. Plants should be irrigated daily after planting.
The number of suckers can be increased by application of organic manure. This is a shade loving plant.(Ramanayake2002)
Composition
The rhizome contains a volatile oil which consists of n-pentadecane,
ethyl p-methoxycinnamate(30%), ethyl cinnamate, 1 D3 carene, Camphence, borneol and pmethoxystyrene. ( Ramanayake et al 2002)
Uses
The rhizome of this plant mixed with oil is used externally for healing of wounds and applied warm on rheumatic regions. The sliced rhizome tied is tied as a poultice which hastens suppuration of boils (fur-uncles) A lotion prepared with the rhizome is used to remove dandruff or scales from hair. It is a stimulant, carminative and diuretic. The powdered rhizome is mixed with bee honey and is given for coughs and pectoral ailments. The tubers are used in perfumery and as a masticatory. In the Philippines, a decoction of the rhizome is taken as a tonic and for dyspepsia, headache and malarial chills. It is also used as a gargle.
(Jayaweera 1981)
Potential in landscaping
Hingurupiyali can be used as a potted plant. It produces attractive white flowers with lilac centers. Horizontally spreading green leaves provide an ideal back ground for flowers.