Are Alpinia Japonica and Etlingera Elatior in the same botanical family?

Yes — both belong to Zingiberaceae.

Can you substitute Alpinia Japonica for Etlingera Elatior?

They share the Zingiberaceae family, so they can sometimes substitute in recipes — with notable differences in aroma.

Compare · per-herb profile

Alpinia Japonica vs Etlingera Elatior

Alpinia japonica · Etlingera elatior

Alpinia Japonica

Alpinia japonica

T Traditional Use

Family: Zingiberaceae
Genus: Alpinia
Primary use: medicinal

Etlingera Elatior

Etlingera elatior

T Traditional Use

Family: Zingiberaceae
Genus: Etlingera
Primary use: medicinal

Etlingera elatior is a species of herbaceous perennial plant in the family Zingiberaceae, native to the Malay Peninsular, the islands of Indonesia and New Guinea of the Malesia bioregion.

At a glance

· Both in Zingiberaceae, but different genera (Alpinia vs Etlingera).
· Both are primarily medicinal.
· Evidence tiers — Alpinia Japonica: T; Etlingera Elatior: T.