Ginger 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 above-ground shoot is erect and reed-like with linear leaves that are arranged alternately on the stem. The shoots originate from multiple bases and wrap around one another.