Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Streptophyta

Class: Equisetopsida

Subclass: Magnoliidae

Order: Zingiberales

 Family: Costaceae

 Genus: Hellenia

Species: speciosa

Description: Hellenia speciosa, also known as crepe ginger, is a tropical plant with large leaves and unusual flowers. It's a member of the Costaceae family and is native to Southeast Asia. 

Uses: Hellenia speciosa, also known as crepe ginger, has many uses, including as a food, ornamental, and medicinal plant.  

Food  

The rhizomes can be eaten as a vegetable or pickled. 

The leaves, flowers, shoots, and rhizomes can be eaten. 

Ornamental  

It is often grown in tropical gardens as an ornamental plant. 

Medicinal 

The rhizome is used in Ayurveda to treat fever, rash, asthma, bronchitis, intestinal worms, coughs, and kidney problems.  

The leaves are used to treat diabetes.  

It has anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties.  

It is a source of diosgenin, which is used to produce steroids like progesterone.