Kamkung | ก้ามกุ้ง | Heliconia rostrata
Family: Heliconiaceae - Genus: Helioconia
The hanging lobster plants can be found on the premises of TCDF and Eco-Logic, near the restaurant and the accommodation.
Lobster claw, also known as false bird of paradise, is an herbaceous perennial.
These can be from 2 to nearly 4.5 meter tall. The simple leaves of these plants can be up 300 centimeter. They are long, oblong, alternate, or growing opposite one another on nonwoody stems often longer than the leaf.
It has 90 to 150 centimeter tall stems terminated by a drooping flower. The flowers hang in clusters that emerge from second year stalks. They have scarlet and yellow colored bracts, or pink and green bracts, that are 15 to 20 centimeter long.
The mature plant normally starts to flower in the summer (November to May in the Paksong area)..
THE PLANT
The Lobster Claw plants grow and propagate from underground rhizomes, which can be broken apart and used to start a new plant.
Lobster Claw Plant is a perennial that will arise every year from the rhizomes.
New stems will develop after the old plant has flowered, creating a continuous display of the flowers over the years.
These size of the plants range from 2 to nearly 4.5 meter tall.
THE LEAVES
The simple leaves of these plants can be up 300 centimeter. They are long, oblong, alternate, or growing opposite one another on nonwoody stems often longer than the leaf. Leaves are glossy green, oval and paddle shaped. They grow in an upright habit with the flower stems in the center.
THE FLOWERS
The flower bracts of hanging lobster claw, are a striking combination of red, yellow and green or hot pink, yellow, and green.
Each bract resembles a lobster's claw, hence the common name.
CULINARY USES
The rhizomes of the plant are said to be edible. We were not able to find any recipes or information on further edible use.
TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL USE
NOTE: please take advice from a doctor if you are planning to use herbal medicine.
Folk medicinal practitioners are said to use leaves and seeds of the plant as a tonic and to treat headache, sprains and pain. The Rhizome is said to be used for curing Intestinal pain, Jaundice and in high blood pressure.
INTO THE WILD: a down to earth experience
For guests and visitors to Paksong we organize weekly tours "The Edible Forest" and Foraging weekends: Into the Wild. We work with local guides to take you in the jungle of Paksong. After foraging, we will cook a meal with the ingredients, using bamboo together with you!
Come and join and learn about the abundance of food that nature gives us!
INTO THE WILD!
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