Distribution and Habitat: Throughout India.

Botany:  An erect slender branched herb, 90-180 cm high with fleshy cylindrical obovoid rhizome covered with pale scales leaving scars on falling.

• Leaves : Ovate –oblong to ovate- lanceolate, 25 x 11.3 cm at the base of the stem, base rounded  or cuneate, tip acute;
• Flowers :white in clusters on diverging inflorescence branches; 18-25 mm long, sepals 13 mm; fertile stamen with appendage, ovary one celled , one ovuled.

Properties: Astringent, refrigerant, aphrodisiac

Uses: It is used in dysentery, diarrhoea, cough, dyspepsia, bronchitis, nourishing food for infants, invalids. Main ingredient in biscuits, cakes, puddings, jellies and faces powders. 

Agro technology: 

Climate and soil:  It is can be grown on different types of soils both under irrigated and rainfed conditions.   

Propagation: rhizome.

Manures and fertilizers: Mulching using locally available plant materials like green leaves, dried leaves or coconut fronds immediately after planting. NPK 50:25:75 kg/ha are applied.

Harvesting: The crop matures in 7 months. Drying up of leaves is the indication of maturity. Dig out rhizomes without damage. Dry leaves and roots. The cleaned rhizomes are either marked or dried and stored.