skip to main content

ID help needed

19 years ago

I've been looking for fresh tumeric root at asian markets to plant and grow. Today I think I may have found it. The package was not marked (except price) and there were no signs. I asked one of the employees and she said it was 'yellow ginger' (she didn't speak much english --- most of the asian markets I go to the employees do not speak or understand english) I need to know if what I have is tumeric or yellow ginger ? The flesh is orange and it appears the same as the tumeric root pictures in my herb books (either way, I plan on planting it and growing it) Since I purchased it at the grocery store, I know it's an edible - I would just like to know which one. I tried to google 'yellow ginger' but never found a pic of the root to compare.

Comments (7)

cactusfreak
19 years ago
Did you come across these pictures.

Here is a link that might be useful: yellow ginger root
reinbeaux
Original Author
19 years ago
That was a picture of tumeric (Curcuma longa / Curcuma domestica Loir) which they stated was sometimes called 'yellow ginger' - it was not a picture of 'yellow ginger' (Hedychium flavum / Hedychium flavescens)
Related Discussions
Tree ID help needed
Q
Comments (8)
Maybe they had the camphor with a cherry laurel hedge surrounding it. I cut down a cherry laurel hedge from under a tree in my yard 1.5 years ago and had to keep at it cutting the suckers out. It stops sprouting for a while and then just starts up again as soon as you take your attention off of it. It still trys to regrow till this day. This is what makes them popular choices for hedges. They can tolerate lots of abuse. They might even be into it! Lol
...See More
Succulent ID Help Needed
Q
Comments (5)
The plant needs a better draining soil. Most often recommended here is a 50/50 mix of commercial cactus-succulent mix combined with perlite (or pumice if available to you). These components come from your nursery. You would probably have better luck finding pumice or perlite at a regular nursery rather than Home Depot. Your plant needs much more light. It should not be stretched out like that. It should look more like a flower. When you repot, remove as much soil from the roots as possible, even soaking them a bit to work the soil off. When you repot, don't water until the next day. Then water only when dry. Good luck.
...See More
Succulent ID Help Needed!
Q
Comments (8)
Only vaguely similar IMO. O.d. is much lighter/greener overall, and has more 'smudges' of color comparing to E. purpusorum more solidly colored leaves - even if darker color seems to be more concentrating in lines. Leaves appear more purplish color overall: Not sure what you mean by "any thoughts?"
...See More
ID help needed-is this an Aloe?
Q
Comments (13)
Lisa, I would say it's definitely a Gasteria -- and as such, it doesn't need much light, as cactusmcharris pointed out. Bright but indirect light works, maybe an hour or so of direct light in the morning only. It might be a "Little Warty" but I don't think so. I have two of those and while they look similar, they are not as "shiny" or deep green as yours seems to be. I don't believe it's a Gasteraloe "Flow." Those seem to be squattier and more "rosette" oriented. It may be a Gasteria carinata v. verrucosa. It's hard to tell from one photo. Or as Stush pointed out, it might be a cross between Gasteria and Haworthia. If so, again -- bright light but don't put it in direct sunlight. You may have to just spend an hour tooling around the Internet looking at images to see which ones look the most like your plant. It's an activity we have all done at one time or another.
...See More
bihai
19 years ago
ALso look in Indian groceries for turmeric.
You can find fresh galangal in Asian Markets too!
reinbeaux
Original Author
19 years ago
The one Indian grocery / deli I tried --- although it was very small and they didn't have produce (it was more of a deli) the owner was very nice though.

I bought it whatever it was - now I want to find out if it is tumeric (Curcuma longa) or if it is 'yellow ginger' (HEDYCHIUM flavum / HEDYCHIUM flavescens) I am asking for pics of HEDYCHIUM flavum or HEDYCHIUM flavescens *root* so I can see if I bought tumeric (already have pic) or if it is indeed 'yellow ginger' (I know sometimes tumeric is called 'yellow ginger' - although since there actually is a yellow ginger, this is confusing)

Found galangal awhile ago and planted it - hasn't sprouted yet though
cactusfreak
19 years ago
I've been looking for fresh tumeric root at asian markets to plant and grow. Today I think I may have found it.

Since you purchased the tumeric/orange root It seemed you wanted a picture of it to compare.
You never mentioned you wanted the garden variety of yellow buterfly ginger, Hedychium flavescens/flavum.
Hedychium flavescens is never sold as tumeric. Unless the person just doesn't know what they are doing. And in gardening circles Hedychium flavescens is always referred to as butterfly ginger not turmeric.
Is it not confusing as long as you use the botanical name. And I have never heard of any one eating hedychium. The root is not yellow and therefore would not offer any coloring agent.

Here is a link that might be useful: Yellow butterfly ginger
baci
18 years ago
The turmeric rhizome is about 3 inches; smaller than galangal & regular ginger root. The size of the galangal & regular ginger is the same. Also, if you scrape the skin of a turmeric root it is orange; the others are white or cream in color.
LisaCLV
18 years ago
I hadn't seen this thread before and I hope you've resolved this by now, but if not, I can tell you that if the rhizome you purchased was orange inside, it was NOT a Hedychium, which have larger rhizomes that are whitish/beige inside. "Yellow ginger" is probably just what they call turmeric, not an indication that it was Hedychium flavum, which would not be found in a grocery store. Is it growing?

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

HOUSEKEEPING When You Need Real Housekeeping Help

By Becky Harris

Which is scarier, Lifetime's 'Devious Maids' show or that area behind the toilet? If the toilet wins, you'll need these tips

LIFE Decluttering — How to Get the Help You Need

By Alison Hodgson

Don't worry if you can't shed stuff and organize alone; help is at your disposal

LIGHTING Help! I Need a Light!

ORGANIZING Get the Organizing Help You Need (Finally!)

By Laura Gaskill

Imagine having your closet whipped into shape by someone else. That’s the power of working with a pro

Ideabook 911: I Need Help Staging for Resale

By Becky Harris

GARDENING GUIDES You Don't Need Prairie to Help Pollinators

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Woodlands, marshes, deserts — pollinators are everywhere

KITCHEN DESIGN Design Dilemma: My Kitchen Needs Help!

By KitchenLab Interiors

See how you can update a kitchen with new countertops, light fixtures, paint and hardware

Storage Help for Small Bedrooms: Beautiful Built-ins

By Becky Harris

Squeezed for space? Consider built-in cabinets, shelves and niches that hold all you need and look great too

SMALL SPACES Downsizing Help: Storage Solutions for Small Spaces

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Look under, over and inside to find places for everything you need to keep

STORAGE Downsizing Help: Shelve Your Storage Woes

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Look to built-in, freestanding and hanging shelves for all the display and storage space you need in your smaller home

Sponsored

Veteran Brand Home & Commercial Services

Industry Leading General Contractors in Ohio