Zedoary
Belonging to the family Zingiberaceae, zedoary/Curcuma zedoaria is a spice that is native to India and Indonesia. I came across this plant only recently as I was introduced to it by at Haflong. It’s a spice that looks like ginger but smells exactly like raw mangoes. No wonder it’s locally called “Aam aada” which translates to “mango ginger”. It’s also referred to as ‘white turmeric’.
A spice that has a more subtle taste than ginger it is used for flavouring dishes. It’s not something I have tried out but recently I came across a recipe by the noted food critic Rahul Verma about using the spice in bottle gourd koftas. More details about zedoary can be found here.
Turmeric leaves look similar. The leaves are broader and there’s no other colour on the veins.
I haven’t seen the blooms of the zedoary (except on the net) but they don’t look much different from turmeric blooms. Although I had posted a picture of a turmeric bloom before I found another one in my archives so here it is.
Terra farmer 
I have been looking for mango ginger. I have this lovely recipe but am unable to find it in our city. And turmeric leaves… the fragrance is lovely. What a lush garden you have.
i never knew such a thing existed! It has pretty leaves and flowers. Have you tasted it yet? Can you buy the root in stores?
hello Kanak, your description of that ginger seems so very unusual. I am just so intrigued. I have turmeric plants but haven’t seen it flower, however our turmeric leaves are more elongated than yours. I also have Curcuma elata planted last year and now fully growing but no flowers yet as they flower after the dry season ahead than the leaves. The leaves of your ‘unusual ginger’ looks like my Curcuma with slightly puplish midrib. The rhizome though are more similar with Zingiber or our ordinary ginger, but they are of different genus. Amazing!
I love the flavour of mango ginger. Here in Chennai, we get it quite often in our markets. I tried growing it in containers but failed. Think I over watered it. You’ve posted pictures of some very healthy plants.
Nice fat gingers! And an unusual one. Hope you like the taste 😉
I use mango ginger in lemon pickle made in winter, as this ginger is available only in winter here. I like its delightful scent. Your pictures are fabulous!
Interesting Kanak! Could it be a curcuma ?
Looks like a beautiful plant before it becomes a servant in the kitchen!
The ginger foliage and flower is very attractive. Love using ginger in cooking too.