Ginger, Zingier officinal, is an erect,
herbaceous perennial plant in the family Zingiberaceae grown for
its edible rhizome (underground stem) which is widely used as a
spice. The rhizome is brown, with a corky outer layer and
pale-yellow scented center. The ginger plant has a thick,
branched rhizome (underground stem) with a brown outer layer and
yellow center that has a spicy, citrusy aroma. Every year,
it grows pseudo stems (false stems made of tightly wrapped
leaf bases) from the rhizome which bear narrow leaves. Ginger root
is beige in color with a knotted, rough appearance. The part of the
plant above the ground is a foot long upright stem with long,
narrow leaves. The leaves are green and ribbed in texture. Ginger
flowers are small and white or yellow-green in color
