scents the damp northern forest streams

Size
Height: 1–2 m, Spread: 1–2 m
Lifespan
10–20 years
Diet
Photosynthetic. Draws energy from sunlight. Obtains nutrients from fertile, well-drained soils.
Habitat
Coastal and lowland forests often in damp, shaded sites. Prefers fertile, well-drained soils with partial shade. Often found along stream banks and in forest understorey.
Range
Northern North Island from Northland to Bay of Plenty. Most common in coastal and lowland forests. Also found in Australia and South Pacific.
Endemism
Introduced
Main Threats
Habitat loss from land clearance is primary threat. Climate change affecting northern forests. No significant pest or disease issues.
Population
Populations considered stable in remaining forest fragments. Species has restricted distribution in northern North Island. Threatened by ongoing habitat loss.
Conservation Status
Not Threatened
Human Risk
harmless
Handling Note
native herb, edible fruit safe to handle
Conservation Note
Introduced plant; naturalised in some areas, not subject to conservation assessment.
Te Ao Māori
In Māori tradition kahakaha valued for fruit and medicinal properties. Blue berries eaten fresh. Rhizomes used for ginger-like flavour and treating stomach ailments. Large leaves used for wrapping food and weaving. Plant also known as kakaha in some regions. Plant of warm northern forests. Gathered by those who lived in subtropical north.
It is not native. Alpinia caerulea is tropical-looking herb. Large, lush leaves and clusters of blue berries. Plant that belongs to warmer time. Leaves can reach up to 60 centimetres in length. Arranged in two rows along stem. Giving plant distinctive, fan-like appearance. Berries are edible. Have sweet, pleasant flavour. Roots or rhizomes have mild ginger flavour. Can be used as ginger substitute in cooking. Plant that is both beautiful and useful. Flowers are white and orchid-like. With prominent, yellow-tipped lip. Appear in summer. Followed by blue berries which ripen in autumn. Berries about 1 centimetre in diameter. Contain several small, black seeds. Eaten by birds which disperse seeds. Plant was used by Māori for medicinal properties and as food source. Rhizomes were chewed for stomach ailments. Leaves used to wrap food for cooking. Large, lush leaves also used for weaving. Particularly for making rain capes and baskets. Native ginger restricted to warm, northern part of North Island. Grows in coastal and lowland forests. Often along stream banks and in damp, shaded gullies. Sensitive to frost. Cannot survive in colder areas. Northern distribution is reminder of New Zealand's subtropical past. When climate was warmer and plants like this were more widespread. To find native ginger is to walk damp forests of Northland. Forest is warm. Ginger grows, large lush leaves fanning out. Clusters of blue berries bright against green. Does not know it is remnant of warmer world. Does not know it cannot survive frost. It just wants to grow where it is warm. New Zealand was once part of larger, warmer world. The ginger remembers. No one told it otherwise.