Distribution and Habitat: It is found throughout India and Srilanka.

Botany: Stout rhizomatous tall herb; aerial stem 60-150 cm tall

• Leaves:  Alternate, simple,  often about 30 cm in length and 7.5-12.5 cm in width, oblong lanceolate, usually pubescent beneath.
• Inflorescence: Spikes 15-30 cm long, densely flowered, bracts green when young, brown when old, 3.7-5.0 by 2.5 cm; flowers white or tinged with yellow, tubular, long, fragrant.
• Fruit: Capsules oblong, glabrous, orange inside; seeds with crimson aril.

Properties: Anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, mild tranquilizer in male albino rats.

Chemical constituents: Furanoid diterpine, Hedychenone.

Uses: Leaf decoction is used to gargle in throat complaints. Tuber is given to children with fever.

Propagation:   By rhizome.