It is one of four plants known as galangal, and is differentiated from the others with the common name greater galangal or Thai galangal.
The galangals are also called blue ginger or Thai ginger.
Alpinia galanga is called Laos in Indonesian and is the most common form of galangal used in cooking.
It is also known as Langkwas and galanga root.
The plant grows from rhizomes in clumps of stiff stalks up to two meters in height with abundant long leaves which bears red fruit.
It is native to South Asia and Indonesia.
It is cultivated in Malaysia, Laos, and Thailand.
The robust rhizome has a sharp, sweet taste and smells like a blend of black pepper and pine needles.
The red fruit is used in traditional Chinese medicine and has a flavor similar to cardamom.