War Over a Fragrant Flower

Dr. SREENATH ANANTHANENI is a conservation scientist and taxonomist at Forests by Heartfulness. Here he introduces the Butterfly Ginger Lily, and some of the rich Hindu mythology that accompanies the lily's beautiful white, fragrant flowers.

- Dr. SREENATH ANANTHANENI

The relationship of plants, their uses in daily life, the environment, and mythology holds significant cultural and medicinal value in most cultures. In the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata, the Butterfly Ginger Lily is associated with a story of conflict between Bhima and Hanuman. This story delves into the connection between nature, mythology, and spirituality, highlighting the sacredness of the flower.

The Butterfly Ginger Lily, Saugandhika, Hedychium coranarium, also known as the white ginger lily, is a beautiful and fragrant flower found in the Eastern Himalayas of North-east India and in high altitudes of the Western ghats. The flowers are white, fragrant, and resemble a butterfly. They give way to showy seed pods, full of bright red seeds.

The young shoots and flowers are edible, and are used for flavoring. The root is cooked and eaten.

The flowers are white, fragrant, and resemble a butterfly. They give way to showy seed pods, full of bright red seeds.

The mashed stem is used to treat cuts and swelling. The rhizomes and stems are traditionally used to relieve headache. The seeds are aromatic and relieve flatulence.

The flower that caused a war between Bhima and Hanuman.