The difference between Alpinia serrulata and Amomum villosum

1. Difference of blades

The leaves of Alpinia glabra are lanceolate, about 30-60 cm long and 5-10 cm wide. The apex is gradually pointed with a small spiral tip, gradually narrowing to the base, with short soft hairs on the edges and no hair on both sides. The petiole is about 1-1.5 cm long.

The middle part of Amomum villosum is long lanceolate, about 37 cm long and 7 cm wide, while the upper part is linear, about 25 cm long and 3 cm wide, sessile or nearly sessile, with sunken reticular patterns on the leaf sheath.

2. The difference between flowers

The inflorescence of Alpinia glabra is drooping, the petals are white below and pink at the top, the inflorescence axis is purple-red, the branches are short, there are small flowers on each branch, and the small bracts are oval.

Amomum villosum has a spike-shaped inflorescence, with white petals and a small yellow tip in the middle, which is curled back. The scales are oval, green or brown, the bracts are lanceolate, and the small bracts are tubular.

3. Fruit Difference

The capsule of Alpinia serrulata is oval, with sparse and coarse hairs on the surface and more obvious stripes. It is scarlet when ripe.

The capsule of Amomum villosum is oval in shape, purple-red when ripe, brown when dry, and has thorns on the surface.